Howe casts doubt on Ake’s Bournemouth future

Eddie Howe admits he is unsure if Nathan Ake will remain at Bournemouth beyond next month with parent club Chelsea reportedly keen on ending his loan spell early.

The 21-year-old joined the Cherries in the summer and, after initially finding it difficult to force his way into the side, has featured in their last six matches.

Ake has scored three goals in that stretch – against Stoke, Liverpool and in Sunday’s 3-1 home defeat to South Coast rivals Southampton, and his form has supposedly caught the eye of Blues boss Antonio Conte.

Chelsea have the Premier League’s best defence – conceding just 11 goals in 17 games – but with John Terry and Kurt Zouma still recovering from injury, Conte could seek reinforcements.

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And Bournemouth boss Howe admits he would be powerless to stop the Blues from recalling the Dutchman.

“I thought he was excellent. He scored a great goal and I thought he defended really well,” Howe said following the Southampton defeat.

“I thought his positioning was excellent. He used the ball well. So I think he can be very pleased with his day’s work.

“There is a clause where they (Chelsea) can recall him. I hope the fact he’s playing and playing very well for us will mean that he will stay, but we will see.”