Conte on Luiz reports, selecting youngsters, Morata’s fitness, Kenedy – and what he wants for Christmas
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte spoke about a number of issues at a media conference ahead of the game against Bournemouth. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
Conte on giving fringe players a chance
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“I will continue in this way. For sure it is right to continue to give opportunities to players who have shown me they deserve this opportunity.
“Every competition is serious. But at the same time I think it is right to give opportunities to players not playing with regularity.
“This cup is a good opportunity for players who are not playing regularly and are struggling to get their best form after injury, like Drinkwater for example and for Batshuayi the same.
“Against Everton we did this and went through to the next round. Tomorrow I hope for this as well, but as you know very well Bournemouth is a really good team. We must be prepared to suffer and be prepared to fight a lot to go through to the next round.
“I have to trust my players not only in words, but facts. I want to give this opportunity.
“It is also very difficult to ask a player to play every game. For example, N’Golo Kante has played 10 games in a row and when you do this it means you take a great risk for injuries and for a lot of things.”
On Kenedy
“Kenedy has tried to give everything during the training this last five months and the behaviours and commitment was perfect.
“It is right to give him an opportunity to play in an important game. He deserves this opportunity to show me he deserves to play for Chelsea.”
On Kenedy being sent home from the pre-season tour
“This is the past. It happened. When we came back from China, Kenedy was training with us and I had to make a technical decision – it was only this.”
On Charly Musonda
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“Musonda has a little problem – a muscular problem in his groin, not from today but also before the game against Southampton. He’s out.”
On Alvaro Morata
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“He’s OK. He had this problem in his back and he struggled a lot with this problem. Now he is working very well and is finding the best form, but tomorrow I want to give an opportunity to Batshuayi.”
On speculation over David Luiz’s future
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“I don’t read (it). I don’t have information about this topic.
“I’m a person who is very realistic, I like to tell the truth and I answered before about him. I also don’t want to annoy you with the same reply.
“He’s not available. I think he is maybe (out for) three weeks.”
On Bournemouth
“We must pay great attention. Bournemouth want to try to create problems and to go through to the next round like us. For this reason we must be focused.
“I think we have prepared for the game very well. Now we have to play and try to go to the next round.”
On youngsters Ethan Ampadu, Dujon Sterling and Callum Hudson-Odoi
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“These players are the future for Chelsea. I must consider the young players if they deserve this chance.
“Sterling is a really good player. Ampadu played the last game (in the EFL Cup) against Everton and maybe he could start.
“Sterling has been working with us a lot this season, Ampadu has always been training with us every day.
“Odoi is another player that deserves to have a chance to show he can play for this team for 10 years or 15 years.”
