Why Nathan Ake Was Chelsea's Breakthrough Star of 2012-13

18-year-old Nathan Ake made his full debut for Chelsea's first team in the FA Cup tie away at Middlesbrough. Rafa Benitez's post-match bite-back at the fans overshadowed what had been a composed, confident performance by the youngster, but it was not Ake's only chance to shine.

His inclusion in the squad to face Rubin Kazan raised eyebrows, but his six tackles and seven interceptions were vital to Chelsea's 5-4 aggregate win. With injuries and fatigue pressuring the squad, Ake found himself playing in the second leg of the FA Youth Cup final and sitting on the bench for the Europa League final in the same week that he made his full Premier League debut in the final game of the season.

Again he impressed, with an 84 percent passing accuracy complimenting his three tackles and four accurate long balls. When you consider the fact that he is significantly younger than even Eden Hazard and Oscar, the impact that Ake has made in the centre of midfield is nothing short of remarkable.

Ake was brought to Chelsea from Feyenoord in 2011 and spent a year in the youth and reserve teams before his promotion to the senior squad. One of many promising young talents currently employed by Chelsea, Ake looked likely to be spending a season watching from the sidelines instead of gaining valuable experience out in loan.

Instead, he has patiently awaited his opportunity, and when it presented itself he seized it with both hands. Whilst he would have had significantly more minutes on the pitch if he had departed West London, the experience that he has gained from regularly training with the first-team squad will be invaluable to his, hopefully long, future at Chelsea.