Ake issues backing to team mate Rico

Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake says team mate Diego Rico has shown his true capabilities after being given an extended run of games. The Spanish left-back joined the Cherries from La Liga outfit Leganes in the summer of 2018 for an undisclosed fee signing a four-year contract.
However, he struggled to establish himself in his first year on the south coast, and only ended up making 12 Premier League appearances last season.
His chances appeared to diminish further during the summer with the £13million acquisition of Lloyd Kelly from Bristol City.
However, first-choice Charlie Daniels suffered a season-ending knee injury in their 3-1 home defeat to Manchester City, so Rico has been drafted in.
He has not missed a single minute of the last seven Premier League games and kept pacey wide man Dan James quiet during Saturday’s 1-0 win against Manchester United.
Ake, himself a key component of Bournemouth’s defence, says he has been impressed with Rico’s contribution at the Vitality Stadium this season.
He said, “He has done really well. Especially on Saturday against a tricky player, a quick player. He was very good, so tight to him and didn’t give him any space. “You can see every game he is getting more confidence with the way he plays. I think that’s exactly what he needed – just a run of games and now he is showing what he can do.”
Rico has been part of a Cherries defence which has been much improved from previous seasons.
Eddie Howe’s team have only conceded 13 goals this season and have the sixth-best defensive record in the league so far.
However, goalscoring has taken a slight hit with Cherries only recording 14 goals this season.
They head to Newcastle on Saturday looking to continue their good form before the international break.
They have only lost one of their last seven matches in the top flight.