Nathan Aké is the signing that I think all AFCB fans most wanted to see come true this summer, although it would have seemed to be too good to be true at times. When AFCB were linked with John Terry it did not look like Aké was going to be the main target anymore, but as the Terry talks seemed to disappear – no doubt influenced by a round of golf in Spain with a Mr Bruce – the Aké move became more prominent in the rumour columns, and yesterday was an epic day for the Cherries with the young Dutch defender smashing the club's transfer record with a five-year contract.
Nathan will know everything he needs to about the Cherries from his loan spell last season in which he played 12 times and scored three goals. It is a little crazy that a defender is the club's biggest signing again like Tyrone Mings was once, but I believe Aké can become not only a leading Premier League player but perhaps a world class defender. At 22, Nathan has a long time ahead of him to develop and from his interview on ACBTV it is apparent, that the way he found he was improving every training session, he was sure that AFCB was the right club for him.
It says something that when Aké went back to Stanford Bridge he was full of positive comments about AFCB. That must be great for Eddie Howe and his staff to hear and if players keep sending messages out like that then word will get about that Bournemouth is a club where players can improve and take on the best.
Leaving Chelsea to join AFCB after six years really does say something about the set up that is now at Dean Court. Aké looked at the project as a whole, not just comparing Chelsea's Stamford Bridge capacity with Dean Court's tidy but small ground. The game is about people and relationships and not all about numbers. We have a great dressing room at the club and Nathan is now part of that again.
Chelsea fans may be surprised that Aké would choose to join a club like the Cherries over staying with them, but this club has a special electricity to it. When Aké played and score that goal against Liverpool at Dean Court last season it was as though every fan in the ground kicked the ball int the net and went off celebrating. That is what it is like to be a Bournemouth fan and don't we just love the fact that Nathan Aké is now one of us! UTCIAD!!
AFCB announce another pre-season friendly vs Napoli on 6 August!
Catch up with my latest HITC articles and what else is happening in the transfer market elsewhere.
Cherry Chimes' July Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month. It's out later today with special story - Do the early signings inspire? I hope you are all ecstatic! And Is Begovic's arrival likely to mean fewer goals? |
| Natan Aké is the third signing for the club this summer, following the signings of Asmir Begovic and Jermain Defoe. |
It says something that when Aké went back to Stanford Bridge he was full of positive comments about AFCB. That must be great for Eddie Howe and his staff to hear and if players keep sending messages out like that then word will get about that Bournemouth is a club where players can improve and take on the best.
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Nathan is one of those players who says he is very critical of himself, but he knows he can be taught more things at Dean Court. "I always want to put the bar high for myself," he said. "I'm always quite critical of myself so I know there's still a lot of things I have to work on, but I am sure the manager will help me with that."
Leaving Chelsea to join AFCB after six years really does say something about the set up that is now at Dean Court. Aké looked at the project as a whole, not just comparing Chelsea's Stamford Bridge capacity with Dean Court's tidy but small ground. The game is about people and relationships and not all about numbers. We have a great dressing room at the club and Nathan is now part of that again.
Chelsea fans may be surprised that Aké would choose to join a club like the Cherries over staying with them, but this club has a special electricity to it. When Aké played and score that goal against Liverpool at Dean Court last season it was as though every fan in the ground kicked the ball int the net and went off celebrating. That is what it is like to be a Bournemouth fan and don't we just love the fact that Nathan Aké is now one of us! UTCIAD!!
AFCB announce another pre-season friendly vs Napoli on 6 August!
Catch up with my latest HITC articles and what else is happening in the transfer market elsewhere.
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