Chelsea managed to bounce back from their recent Premier League defeat to London rivals Tottenham after beating Paok 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Goals from Olivier Giroud, who grabbed a brace, youngster Callum Hudson-Odoi and Alvaro Morata ensured it was a comfortable and morale-boosting victory for the Blues following their Wembley humiliation.
Manager Maurizio Sarri, though, will know that there is still plenty of work ahead for his side with defence an area of concern in particular. The transfer window, however, could provide the Italian with an opportunity to address that with a former Chelsea man the possible answer to one of the team’s biggest problems.
According to the Telegraph, both Tottenham and Manchester United are interested in signing Bournemouth centre-back Nathan Ake, though Chelsea are said to have a buy-back agreement in place for their ex-defender, a buy-back agreement they would be wise to make full use of.
Despite the Blues’ impressive start to life under Sarri, defensively, they have looked far from convincing with David Luiz having been extremely poor at times this season.
Simply put, the Brazilian’s defending has not been good enough, and Ake could be an ideal replacement. Unlike the current Chelsea centre-half, Ake is very intelligent when it comes to his defending.
The 23-year-old steps out of his defence at the right time, tackles so cleanly and can read the game well, allowing him to make crucial interceptions. Defensively, he is everything Luiz is not.
On top of that, the Netherlands international also has the kind of composure on the ball and passing accuracy that Sarri wants to see from his centre-halves.
Considering all of that, Chelsea would be crazy to stand by and watch Ake join another club, especially if it ends up being Tottenham or Manchester United.
