Tuesday 1 August 2017 09:20, UK
Nathan Ake has defended his move to Bournemouth after Antonio Conte insisted Chelsea's young players are too impatient.
Conte urged Chelsea's emerging talents to "trust the club" after his youth policy was questioned following the departures of Dominic Solanke (Liverpool), Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford) and Ake (Bournemouth).
Ake, 22, impressed in his 12 appearances on loan at the Cherries in the first half of last season before Conte opted to recall the player in January.
The centre-back made just five appearances for Chelsea's first team after coming back to Stamford Bridge, though, and the Netherlands international believes a permanent switch had to be made for the good of his career.
"It is a short career, I'm 22 now and I feel like I have had a good experience playing games and you just want to continue doing that," Ake said.
"I understand what [Conte] said but I think we also know that Chelsea is a big club and for myself it was going to be difficult to come in and play straight away."
Ake insisted he will still have to fight for his place at Eddie Howe's Bournemouth, but believes his opportunities will be far greater on the south coast than they were at Chelsea.
"The decision to come here was to be able to play more games which is important for me and that is why I came here," Ake added.
"There are no guarantees that I will play coming here but if I train hard and play well then I will have a chance."
