---
title: "Ake can compete for a first team spot says Pat Nevin"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2017/01/10/ake-can-compete-first-team-spot-says-pat-nevin/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Oliver Birch"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2017-01-10T09:55:01Z"
modified: "2017-01-10T09:55:01Z"
---

# Ake can compete for a first team spot says Pat Nevin

Former Blue Pat Nevin believes Nathan Ake has what it takes to break into Chelsea’s first team this season, after being recalled back from his loan spell with Bournemouth.

The versatile defender’s loan with the South coast club was cut short on Sunday after Ake produced a number of strong performances during his 12 match stint with the Cherries.

And Nevin has backed the Dutch youth international to compete for a first team place under Conte, as he stated in his [Chelsea column](https://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2017/01/pat-nevin--does-it-all-add-up-.html).

![Warren Little/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/631008620.jpg)

> When he left on loan to Bournemouth it always looked like he would have more chance of a few starts there than at Chelsea, but his progressions 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.

Ake has made 12 appearances for the Blues since making his debut in 2012 but looked set to be another one of Chelsea’s youngsters to have a number of loan spells before being sold.

However, following his successful spell with Bournemouth, during which he scored three goals, Ake looks to have won over Antonio Conte, who may be looking to use the 21-year-old in the back three or the left wing-back role.

![Dave Thompson/Getty Images Sport](https://cdn.readeverything.co/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/624345814.jpg)

And despite the healthy competition for places in the Blues defence following Kurt Zouma’s return from injury, Nevin believes Ake has done enough at Bournemouth to earn himself a first-team spot at Stamford Bridge.

> 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.