Monday 9 January 2017 16:08, UK
Nathan Ake has thanked Bournemouth after Chelsea recalled the Dutch defender from his loan at the Vitality Stadium.
Ake, 21, was signed by Bournemouth in June on a season-long loan deal from the Blues, but such has been the calibre of his performances on the south coast the Dutchman was recalled six months early by the league leaders on Sunday.
Netherlands U21 international Ake made 12 appearances in all competitions for Bournemouth this season, notching three goals, including a last-gasp winner against Liverpool in a 4-3 victory at the beginning of December.
"Over the six months I feel I have developed as a player, both on and off the pitch," Ake told Bournemouth's official club website.
"To start with I wasn't playing too much, but I dealt with that mentally, kept going and was happy when I got my chance.
"I was able to learn a lot from the [Bournemouth] manager [Eddie Howe]. He spoke to me a lot about how I could improve and I picked up a lot of little ideas and different ways of thinking.
"Of course the Liverpool game was the standout moment. It was a crazy game and to score the winning goal was an amazing feeling. It's something that I'll remember for the longest time.
"That was not the only good memory. We also had some other good games where we kept clean sheets which were great and other games which I will remember for the wrong reasons."
Howe's Cherries currently sit in 9th position in the league, having registered a total of 25 points from 20 games.
Chelsea are top of the league, five points clear of Liverpool in second, with Ake expected to come in and provide competition for Marcos Alonso at left wing-back in Conte's 3-4-3 formation.
"The ambition now is to continue to improve and break into the team at Chelsea," Ake added.
"It is a great team and the manager there has given me a lot of confidence, so it is something I am looking forward to."
