Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe has claimed that new signing Nathan Ake prefers being a central midfielder.
21-year-old Ake, who has been signed on a season-long loan from Premier League giants Chelsea, spent last term out on loan at Watford, picking up vital experience.
Ake played at left-back for the Hornets under Quique Sanchez Flores, making 24 appearances in the league and scoring once in a campaign in which Watford finished 13th in the Premier League last season.
38-year-old Howe has said that Ake, who can play centre-back, left-back and in midfield as well, prefers playing as a central midfielder.
He was quoted as saying by the official Bournemouth website: "Nathan had a really good season with Watford and also caught the eye during his loan spell with Reading in the Championship.
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"We have played against him three times in the past couple of seasons and he has performed very well in all three games.
"He was used predominately at left-back by Watford and also played at centre-back for them. His favoured position is as a central midfielder.
"He really did excel for Watford and I think those experiences will benefit us during the coming season.”
Ake's performances at Vicarage Road last season earned him Watford's Young Player of the Season accolade and he helped the club reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.
The youngster hails from the Netherlands and penned a five-year deal at Chelsea last season, after having spent a period out on loan at Reading.
