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Post Match Conte With Good News On Kante

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Chelsea fought hard for the victory over Everton in the Carabao Cup at Stamford Bridge last night. In his after match press conference Antonio Conte, most importantly, reported on the fitness of midfielder N`golo Kante,

`’Kante is progressing well and I am very happy because I saw him in a good physical condition but for sure in this moment we have to find the strength to keep calm and to find the right moment to put him in the team.`

That`s really good news, with Danny Drinkwater making his debut in the game last night, Chelsea could soon be brimming with midfield options. Add in Ethan Ampadu, who played the whole 90 minutes, and Conte will spoilt for choice. Along with that youngster, his fellow development squad colleagues Kenedy and Charly Musonda also started the game. Conte was pleased with the way they played,

`Tonight Charly Musonda, Kenedy and Ethan Ampadu played a good game and don`t forget Ampadu is only 17 years old. It is very important to trust in these players because they deserve to have this chance and I am very happy because I had the answer I was waiting for.`

‘Now we are in the fifth round and we want to fight for this competition. It will be difficult because a lot of the best teams are in it but we want to give this opportunity to our young players in these type of games. You take risks but if you want to develop these young players you have to give the chance to play tough games, not soft games.`


Ampadu had a good game. He did nothing spectacular, but he did the simple things right. For a seventeen year old, making his first full appearance against the likes of Wayne Rooney, that`s all you can ask for.

There were times, in the second half when Willy Cabellero kept his team in front, making a series of fines saves. Conte was pleased with his contribution too, but disappointed with the goal that was conceded. However that was not the Argentine`s fault, it was a collective lack of concentration following Willian`s goal.

`Willy played very well, but if I have to find a negative thing tonight it is that like against Nottingham Forest we conceded a goal in the last minute, and maybe we paid for a bit of lack of attention, but I repeat I must be pleased because this tie was a very tough one for us.`

The draw for the quarter-finals takes place today at 4pm, Twitter will be streaming it live for the first time. Still in the competition, along with Chelsea are –

⦁Arsenal

⦁Bournemouth

⦁Bristol City

⦁Leicester City

⦁Manchester City

⦁Manchester United

⦁West Ham United

The nearer these clubs gets to Wembley the more they`ll want to win the season`s first, proper, piece of silverware.

Who do you want to draw in the next round?


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