Nevin backing Ake to get his chance at Chelsea

Recalled Chelsea loanee Nathan Ake has the quality to jump ahead of the likes of club captain John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic in the Blues pecking order, according to club legend Pat Nevin.

After 12 appearances, three clean sheets, and three goals for Bournemouth, Antonio Conte chose to bring the 21-year-old Dutchman back from his loan to the south coast early.

The Italian has stated that Ake will have a role to play during the second half of the season as Chelsea chase their second title in three years, despite having a fit-again Kurt Zouma now at his disposal.

Terry and Ivanovic – previously the first names on the teamsheet for the Blues – have been forced to watch most of the season so far from the sidelines with Conte’s back three of Gary Cahill, David Luiz and César Azpilicueta thriving at present.

But Nevin – a fans’ favourite during his time with the Blues in the 1980’s when he made almost 200 appearances – believes Ake will not necessary suffer the same fate.

“When he left on loan to Bournemouth it always looked like he would have more chance of a few starts there than at Chelsea,” he said. “But his progression has been monumentally impressive in that short spell on the south coast.

“He joins us back at Cobham with the expectation he will get quite a few more opportunities for the first team from now on in.

“Of course there are top defenders in situ and a few including Brana, JT and Kurt Zouma not even in the side most weeks.

“But such is Nathan’s improvement it is not beyond the realms of possibility he could jump right to the front of the queue.

“After scoring three goals in eight league starts from centre-back for the Cherries, let’s hope he has kept a few back for the Blues between now and the end of the season.

“A cheeky little winner at Leicester wouldn’t go amiss.”