Cahill, 31, will miss the FA Cup semi-final clash this evening due to illness.
The centre-back has played on the left side of a three-man defence for Chelsea this term.
Antonio Conte indicated in his pre-match press conference that Ake will step up instead of veteran skipper John Terry.
And, despite Ake’s lack of football since returning to Chelsea, Keown believes his mobility gives him the edge on Terry.
“I cannot say I am surprised that Antonio Conte will pick Nathan Ake over John Terry to replace Gary Cahill,” ex-Arsenal defender Keown told the Daily Mail.
“Terry is vastly more experienced but he would be exposed playing on the left of the back three.
“In that position you have to defend more in one against one situations and Ake is a more mobile option.
“Tottenham are also more suited to playing with three at the back but in the absence of Danny Rose, Mauricio Pochettino has switched to a back four.
“If he wants to go with a three on Saturday he needs Ben Davies to be more dynamic at left wing back.”
