Watford tried to sign young Chelsea defender Nathan Ake before opting for Fulham's Matthew Briggs

11:00am Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Gianfranco Zola confirmed he did try to return to former club Chelsea to sign young defender Nathan Ake on loan.

Blues Academy manager Neil Bath revealed Ake had a chance to go out on loan to the Hornets but interim manager Rafa Benitez wanted to keep the 18-year-old at Chelsea.

Ake is a Dutch defender who can play at centre half or on the left side and is also comfortable in midfield.

He joined the Blues from Feyenoord two years ago and after a brief cameo on Boxing Day, made his full Chelsea debut against Middlesbrough last month.

Zola said: "He was one consideration we thought about when we were struggling with injuries but then we went for Matthew Briggs."

Comments(11)

Harrydownunder says...
11:29am Fri 8 Mar 13

So what?

We didnt get him.....

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AngelHornet says...
11:58am Fri 8 Mar 13

Briggs has more experience as well

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Harry's Bar says...
12:12pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Diplomatically put Gianfranco.

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ORBY says...
12:34pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Didn't happen, so we moved on. Onward and upwards.

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JohnnyHornet says...
12:56pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Plus, Hollowhead would have had a field day...again.

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SAHornet says...
1:18pm Fri 8 Mar 13

JohnnyHornet wrote:
Plus, Hollowhead would have had a field day...again.
Why more so than Briggs ?

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jasonwatford says...
3:32pm Fri 8 Mar 13

What a great idea from Rafa Benitez to keep a young player at chelsea playing in the under 21 league in front of 40-50 people per match. All we would have offered him was maybe to play in front of 12000 to 25000 people under a brilliant manager with a confident team going places. Best to keep him doing nothing i guess.

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watford1881 says...
5:04pm Fri 8 Mar 13

jasonwatford wrote:
What a great idea from Rafa Benitez to keep a young player at chelsea playing in the under 21 league in front of 40-50 people per match. All we would have offered him was maybe to play in front of 12000 to 25000 people under a brilliant manager with a confident team going places. Best to keep him doing nothing i guess.
Shows he doesn't care for his young players much..

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Guy Bov says...
7:05pm Fri 8 Mar 13

Not really newsworthy. I'm sure there are many other targets we missed out on particularly during the transfer window.

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lovestospouge says...
11:11pm Fri 8 Mar 13

The only reason they would have printed this is if Watford were still trying to sign him up for next season maybe?

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Paul Gadd says...
11:59pm Fri 8 Mar 13

jasonwatford wrote:
What a great idea from Rafa Benitez to keep a young player at chelsea playing in the under 21 league in front of 40-50 people per match. All we would have offered him was maybe to play in front of 12000 to 25000 people under a brilliant manager with a confident team going places. Best to keep him doing nothing i guess.
Reminds me of another 'great' footballing mind, Mr Southgate, keeping Adam Johnson on the bench at Boro rather then letting us keep him, and getting us to the PL....not bitter though...

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