CHELSEA FANSZONE

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has labeled Welsh Super kid, Nathan Ampadu as the future of Chelsea. Conte gave Ampadu his first full 90 minutes in the senior team against Everton in the Carabao Cup. The teenager also traveled with the senior team for the English Premier League clash against Bournemouth last Saturday. Conte believes the 17-year old Welsh International is potentially the future of Chelsea Football Club "Against Everton, [Ethan] Ampadu played for the first time and he is only 17 years old. “Don’t forget that my first appearance in my career in Serie A, I was only 16 years old. I think I am the best person to give this possibility. If I see. I repeat. In my experience at Juventus, Pogba was only 18 years old. “I repeat I want to give these possibilities – but you have to deserve these possibilities. He is not an England player, only 17 years old, but he deserves to stay with us and to develop, to be the future of Chelsea.” Conte concluded

Chelsea beat manager-less Everton 2-1 at Stamford Bridge to progress to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals. As promised, under-pressure Chelsea manger Antonio Conte started youngsters Ethan Ampadu Kenedy, and Charly Musonda in the Blues’ starting XI on Wednesday night. Michy Batshuayi lead the line in Alvaro Morata’s absence but it was Danny Drinkwater’s inclusion in the team sheet that gave the home fans plenty of cheer. The summer signing started in Chelsea’s midfield for the first time and the former Leicester City man put in a tidy shift as he partnered the young Ampadu in the middle of the pitch with Kenedy and Davide Zappacosta offering support in their wing-back roles. Everton, who were playing their first match since sacking manager Ronald Koeman, trotted out in a starting XI which had a mix of established players and youth prospects. Wayne Rooney lead the line, flanked by Kevin Mirallas and Aaron Lennon with Benni Baningime, James McCarthy and Tom Davies starting in the t...

Chelsea’s French power house Tiemoue Bakayoko has outlined his targets for Chelsea this season, he also dismissed comparison with former Blue, Nemanja Matic. The 24-year-old is hoping to develop further in the near future as he wished to fortify his own identity as a defensive midfielder. He told Sky Sports: "We all know that N’Golo was named the best player in the Premier League, so I’ve been learning a lot from him. "I’m not here to do what Matic did. Matic is a player that I really like; he’s a very good footballer. I’m here to play my game, to try to implement what the coach asks. "I don’t want to do what Matic did here just because I play in the same position as him. "Antonio Conte is one of the main reasons why I signed for the club. I knew that he was a coach who’d help me improve in terms of tactical awareness. "Now I need to improve on the ball and there are some little details that need to be smoothed out. I’m improving and in a few weeks...

After three matches without a win, Chelsea went into the match against Watford at Stamford Bridge yesterday hoping to bounce back. Pedro's early goal was canceled out by Watford with the last kick of the first half to draw them level at 1-1. Things got worse for Chelsea after the restart as Watford went 2-1 up. Conte made few changes, Batshuayi, Willian and Zappacosta came on which forced Azpilicueta to move to left wing-back. The changes changed the whole game, Batshuayi drew Chelsea level, Azpilicueta put Chelsea ahead on 87 minutes before Batshuayi scored his second in the 4th minute of injury time. Cesar Azpilicueta believed that the win was very important for Chelsea’s confidence after three winless run: ‘We left it very late and we had to dig in until the last minute, but we showed great spirit,’ said Azpilicueta, whose goal was his first of the season. ‘It wasn’t our best game but we got a big victory for our confidence after three games without a win. I...

Spartak Moscow manager and former Antonio Conte's assistant, Massimo Carrera has attributed his success today to the time he spent working with Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte during his time at Juventus and Italy National Team. The 53-year-old Italian has nothing but respect for his former boss despite being mostly referred to as Former Conte's assistant: "It doesn't really upset me to be referred to as 'Antonio Conte's former assistant' or 'the second Conte,' as I have huge respect for Antonio, but let's say I'm not the second Conte: I'm the first Carrera," he said. "I spent five years with Antonio working shoulder-to-shoulder -- three in Juventus and two in the Italy national team -- and I'm sincerely proud of this time. I should admit that everything I am now is thanks to him. How to train the team, how to communicate with your players, how to motivate them. He's a true mastermind in all of this, let alone his ...

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says he could use the option of playing Hazard as a number 9  in the absence of injured Alvaro Morata when Chelsea face Crystal Palace today in the English Premier League. Conte is widely expected to start Mitchy Batshuayi with Hazard and Pedro as number 10s with Willian as a substitute due to his late arrival from International duty. Conte said: "If you compare Michy with last season he has improved a lot. "He understands this league because it’s not simple. He understands our style of football but don’t forget he’s another young player and he’s working hard to improve. "This season he’s finding many opportunities to play, in the Champions League, Premier League and Carabao Cup, coming on and starting games. Last season he had few opportunities but this season he’s playing a lot. The most important thing is to show he’s improving. "Don’t forget, as a striker I can also utilise Eden Hazard. Last season we played two games with Ha...

Chelsea summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko said he's loving life in England and improving under Chelsea coach Antonio Conte. Bakayoko who was signed from Monaco also said he is adapting well to life in England. ‘This is a new world for me, be that on the pitch or in my personal life, it’s all new,’ he tells the official Chelsea website. ‘It’s a new country and obviously I’m learning a new language, but more than anything on the pitch I’ve already learnt so much and gained so many new experiences. I’m playing with great players, I’m playing for a great coach, the fans have been brilliant and it’s nice to be a part of the whole family that is Chelsea. ‘I’m playing in one of the best leagues in the world and in a huge stadium, which is obviously much bigger than the one I was used to. It’s something I think about every day, the fact that I’m a Premier League player, and I want to improve and progress to make sure I’m a Premier League player for many years to come.’ Bakayoko expl...

Swansea City Assistant manager and former Chelsea great, Claude Makelele is tipping Swansea's Chelsea loanee Tammy Abraham to become a great player in the mold former  Chelsea stars, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto'o Fils if he continues to work hard. “He’s young and he has time on his side,” he said. “He wants to be one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He gets an example in the way Drogba and Eto’o play, but to do that he must work like they did. “Can he play for Chelsea? I hope so. He needs to be successful with Swansea first and learn more and more to come back and push for Antonio Conte’s team. It’s going to be difficult.” “He needs to adapt very well but we will push him. He has to show the ambition to reach the top. “I tell him to do everything: run, fight. Some young players think about dribbling but they need to understand about their team-mates. He is fast. Go in space and you’ll make the difference for your team-mates. It all depends on him. “...

One of Italy's greatest ever midfielders, Andrea Pirlo has hailed Chelsea boss Antonio Conte as one of the World's best managers. Pirlo who played under Conte at Juventus is clearly in awe of his former coach's ability and attention to details. Pirlo who announced that he will retire from professional football when his contract with New York City FC expires in December said: “His attention to detail is impressive,” Pirlo told Gazzetta (via Football Italia). “He also manages to give you convincing explanations about things. “One of his 20-minute video sessions is worth three days on the training ground. “You immediately understand what it is you have to do. “Over the years he improved, with his desire to win and doing everything to the best of his ability. “He is one of the best, absolutely.”

After watching Chelsea being dominated by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea boss has suggested that retaining the English Premier League this season could be a tall order for his ream. Chelsea who dropped Victor Moses to the bench are currently fourth in the table behind Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham. It was also the second time Chelsea have lost this season without Victor Moses. The Nigerian has not been on the losing side this season with Chelsea, which shows how important he is to Chelsea and Conte recognizes this. "Morata played three games in seven days and got injured," he explained. "It's not simple for our wing-backs. Moses played two games against Stoke and Atletico, [Marcos] Alonso one and a half because he came off early against Stoke. You have to try not to put your players in difficulty, but you aortant player for us. "To play three games in seven days, you risk. With Morata it was the same but I made this decisio...