Nigerian-born Nathan Ake has revealed Quique Flores’ management of youth players convinced him to join Watford on loan from Chelsea this summer.
The Netherlands Under-21 central defender, who signed a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge before moving to Vicarage Road, was on loan at Championship side Reading last season and is eager for regular first-team football in the Premier League.
“He’s a big manager and he has managed big clubs,” the 20-year-old told the club’s website. He told me he had young players when he was at other clubs, like Koke at Atletico Madrid, and he said age doesn’t matter to him, he’ll play you if you’re ready.
“I was really impressed with him, we had a good chat and he made me feel welcome straight away. I’m really excited because I’ve been waiting for this, to get on loan and play a lot of games, and Watford have given me this opportunity.”
I was really impressed with him, we had a good chat and he made me feel welcome straight away.
Ake, who is primarily a central defender, said his versatility can benefit his new side.
“I can play in midfield, left-back or centre-back. I’m a player who works really hard, a left-footed player who tries to play football on the ground,” he said.
“But I can also do the other side of the game like defending, and I just try to help the team really.”
