AFC Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake has swept all of the end of season awards.
Having re-joined the Cherries during the summer for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £20million from Chelsea, Ake has, with one game of the season remaining, made 37 Premier League appearances (just one from the bench), has played 3,264 minutes, scored two goals and claimed three assists.
He has averaged 1.4 tackles per game and achieved 6.1 clearances.
His performances have led him to win the supporters player of the month award seven times out of a possible nine.
He has since been voted the AFC Bournemouth supporters Player Of The Season, Junior Cherries Player Of The Season and has lifted the Daily Echo/Micky Cave Trophy.
Howe told the Daily Echo…
“He has been a model of consistency, not just on matchdays, and the biggest compliment I can give him is that it is every day in training as well.
“Whatever he is asked to do, he will give his best. He will commit to training sessions, weights sessions and recovery sessions…
“…We had a big fight to get him in the summer and it wasn’t easy. I am delighted he has been rewarded by showing loyalty to come back after his loan spell and has had a great season.”
Francis told afcb.co.uk…
“…I’ve been massively impressed with him over the last year or so, going back to when he first joined us on loan last season.
“He’s fitted in great with the group and he has been a real asset for us all season.
“Touch wood, we’re able to keep hold of him for a number of years, but for me he is right up there with the best around right now. He could go on and play at the very highest level, and I don’t just think in England, but abroad for one of Europe’s top clubs…”
Your say…
billythekid wrote…
When Nathan went up on stage to receive one of his two awards last night and was interviewed by Kris Temple, Kris said to him you have worked with some great managers and where does Eddie rate with them. Obviously, Eddie was there, but Nathan said right up there at the top. He mentioned Eddie is out on the training ground a long time after the training has finished and he has helped Nathan to improve his game, but he thinks he can even get better. Another thing Nathan Ake said was the closeness amongst the players, in the dressing room and out of the club, something he hasn’t experienced anywhere before. He said maybe we are too friendly amongst ourselves and should shout more at each other on the pitch. He mentioned the captain (Simon Francis), how Simon is always talking to him and the players on the pitch, so maybe that is something we the fans don’t hear or see, as there has been some criticism of Simon as captain on this MB.
Eddie mentioned that there is something special and unique about our club that he hasn’t experienced anywhere before.
So hopefully this might mean Nathan will stay even if another side comes in for him as he wants to improve his game even more with Eddie coaching him. We can only hope. – Join the conversation, click here.
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