Nathan Ake started for the second time since his recall from Bournemouth in yesterday’s cup win against Wolves.
The Dutchman had played from the start in the win over Brentford in the previous round at left wing back, but yesterday, celebrating his 22nd birthday, Ake played in his preferred role of centre-half.
Playing alongside fellow second-stringers Kurt Zouma and John Terry, the defensive unit showed some serious rusty moments, especially early on, but as the game wore on the three gelled better and better. Ake especially showed how his particular characteristics are well suited to the left of the three. As space opened up later on he was able to use his speed to get forward to cover gaps left by Pedro at wing back.
Discussing his manager’s reaction at half time to a sluggish opening period, Ake revealed what the Blues boss had told his troops at the break:
‘The manager told us to push more and give more energy because it looked like they gave more in the first half. They won second balls and things like this.
‘We needed to match that, and get better than them, and I think in the second half we did – we won first and second balls and we were more confident on the ball as well.
-Nathan Ake, chelseafc.com
