Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has shown long-term interest in Manchester City’s Nathan Ake and considers the centre-back among his defensive targets this summer, according to The Telegraph.
The report mentions several other defenders in Chelsea’s summer shortlist, such as Sevilla’s Jules Kounde, Juventus’ Matthijs de Ligt, RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, and Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe.
Unlike Ake, however, none of these players have Premier League experience, which, according to The Telegraph, is the reason why the former Blues academy star could be high on Tuchel’s list of potential defensive signings.
Chelsea are also reportedly aware that Manchester City might be tempted into selling Ake this summer.
Ake spent several years at Chelsea, having had three loan spells, before joining Bournemouth permanently for just £21million in 2017.
The Netherlands international then moved to Manchester City for £41m a couple of years ago as Chelsea decided not to activate their buy-back option on the player.
The 27-year-old failed to establish himself as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola and is behind the likes of Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte in the pecking order.
He still made 14 appearances in the Premier League last season, however, and is arguably still one of the best ball-playing defenders in the league.
The report claims that Tuchel had already kept an eye on Ake even before managing Chelsea, having first interested in the player when he was still in charge of Borussia Dortmund.
Being a left-footed defender, Ake could easily fit into the left centre-back slot in Tuchel’s 3-4-3 system at Chelsea, but could also provide cover as a left-back and in midfield.
Having already lost Antonio Rudiger, Tuchel could be in search of more than just one left centre-back if Malang Sarr, who played the back-up role last season, leaves this summer.
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