Nathan Ake is good enough to go straight into Chelsea’s starting lineup when his loan spell at Bournemouth ends, according to his team-mate Harry Arter.
The Chelsea centre-back scored his third goal in just 10 appearances for Bournemouth in Sunday’s 3-1 loss to Southampton.
Ake took his time to establish himself in the Bournemouth side this season, playing just 13 minutes in the Cherries first 11 games, but has not missed a minute since being introduced to the starting lineup against Stoke last month, where he scored the winner.
His team-mate Arter believes that Ake’s years on loan – he spent last season as a first-team regular at Watford – are coming to an end and he is ready to slot into Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3.
"Nathan deserves all the plaudits he's getting at the moment," Arter told reporters.
"And I've no doubt that next year he'll go back to Chelsea and play in their side.
"I personally feel he's more than good enough, especially with the system they're playing now.
The Chelsea players out on loan
"And it's a credit to him because he's worked really hard, even when he wasn't in the team, and he deserves all the praise he's getting."
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe yesterday confirmed that Chelsea have an option to recall Ake from his loan spell in January but he urged the Blues to let him stay on the south coast.
Chelsea are keen to recruit defensive cover in the January transfer window, with Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk among the names on their shortlist.
