According to De Telegraaf, Netherlands could lose talented Chelsea defender Nathan Ake to the Ivory Coast.

  • By Michael Bell
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The African powerhouse is hoping to persuade Ake to turn his back on Oranje and have approached the 21-year-old over a possible call-up. Ake has represented Netherlands at various age groups, but qualifies for the Ivory Coast because of his father.

Current Netherlands interim boss Fred Grim, who has coached Ake at U21 level has urged the youngster not to turn his back on the country of his birth.

He told De Telegraaf, “My first reaction is that I would regret it if he chooses Ivory Coast.

“Nathan is potentially a Dutch national team player. Not for nothing has he played in all Oranje youth teams, and he was there for all levels of the juniors. He is also closely monitored for the Dutch team.

“Not for nothing at a young age did he leave Feyenoord for England.’

“Only sorry that he is at an absolute top club like Chelsea, but plays little. It is precisely at times when you thought he was doing well on loan at Watford and Bournemouth, Chelsea took him back and he’s often ended up on the bench.”




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