Nathan Ake: This is what Antonio Conte first told me when he brought me back to Chelsea

Ake was recalled from his loan spell at Bournemouth by Antonio Conte earlier this month.

The Chelsea boss explained that Ake's versatility to play across the back-line was one of the reasons he wanted the defender to return to Stamford Bridge.

And Conte opted to utilise the 21-year-old's adaptable positioning to play him as a left-sided wing-back in the 4-0 win over Brentford on Saturday.

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Nathan Ake is happy to play in different positions for Antonio Conte

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Antonio Conte brought Ake back to Chelsea earlier this month

Ake admits that the wing-back position is something he is not accustomed to but is willing to fight for his place in the Chelsea line-up.

"It's a hard position, of course, but I enjoyed it," Ake told Chelsea's official website.

"A lot of up and down, so you need a lot of energy. I was kind of tired at the end. It was my first time.

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"You have to get forward a lot and if the ball is on the other side you are basically a winger.

"On the first day I was back, [Antonio Conte] called me into his office and explained the different positions he sees me in and what he expects from me when I play those positions.

"For him, age doesn't matter. I just have to show him I'm ready to be here and that's what I try to do in training. It was positive that he called me back and it gave me a lot of confidence."

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