Nathan Ake to discuss his latest winners’ medal, his recent loan at Reading and his development under Jose Mourinho

The official Chelsea website sits down with Nathan Ake to discuss his latest winners’ medal, his recent loan at Reading and his development under Jose Mourinho…

Speaking after our draw with Liverpool last weekend, Jose Mourinho cited Nathan Ake as one of the younger members of the squad who deserves to play when we take on West Bromwich Albion later today (Monday).

The manager followed that up this weekend by stating Ake will definitely be involved at the Hawthorns having recently returned from a successful one-month loan spell at Reading.

Earlier in the season, Ake featured for Chelsea in each of the cup competitions and looking ahead to Premier League minutes in the Midlands, he begins our interview by explaining what impact Mourinhohas had on him.

‘I have been working under him on a regular basis for one-and-a-half years now and it’s been really good,’ he says.

‘I’ve been involved in a lot of training sessions with him and played some games under him too, and he always helps me, in training and in matches. I just try to improve every day.

‘It’s been great to see so many young players get chances to play for the first team this season. Of course you just want to play as many games as you can, and hopefully I can do that against West Brom, but let’s see.’

Both of Ake’s starts so far this season have been in the Capital One Cup, a trophy we lifted back in March. He played in rounds three and four, against Bolton and Shrewsbury respectively, and he was also a substitute in the final when Tottenham were seen off.

After the first game of that victorious run, assistant first team coach Steve Holland said of Ake’s performance: ‘It was no surprise he was almost pass-perfect. I don’t recall him making a bad decision.’

Ake himself is pleased he was able to make his own contribution to our first trophy of the season. 

‘It’s nice to get another winners’ medal to add to my Europa League one and I feel like I played my little part in it as well,’ the 20-year-old says.

‘In the Capital One Cup I played the first two games and I was on the bench for the final so I do feel like I helped the team to win that trophy.

It is in the centre of midfield that Ake has represented Chelsea this season, including when he assisted Eden Hazard’s second goal in our 6-0 win against Maribor in the Champions League. During his recent loan spell at Reading he played at left-back as well, a position he is also comfortable with, and he says he has no preference towards either role.

Ake moved to the Madejski Stadium on a one-month loan and played five games under the guidance of Royals boss and former Chelsea player and coach Steve Clarke. The experience clearly served him well.

‘It was really good to play week in, week out. The games came very quickly and there is pressure on you to always perform with the fans that are there too. That is the main difference to Under-21 football.

‘Steve is a really nice guy. He helped me settle in. He trusted me to play freely and it was good working with him.

‘Nathaniel Chalobah was also there and when you’re new it’s often difficult but he introduced me to everyone and I could always talk to him. All the guys there were really nice and they all made me fit in very quickly. It was definitely a good loan.