Conte wary of Chelsea losing confidence; eyes winning run

Matt Stead

Antonio Conte wants Chelsea to continue their winning start to the season and maintain the confidence built among the squad.

Victories over West Ham and Watford in the Premier League have opened Conte’s reign in perfect style ahead of their second-round tie in the League Cup at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are expected to make changes against their League One opponents, but boss Conte expects whoever plays to extend the winning run.

“Losing always leaves sad things in you,” the Blues manager said.

“You can lose your confidence and for this reason it was important to win these two games because you can continue to trust in the work and raise the confidence of the players.

“For these reasons it was important to start in the right way for all of us. Now we must continue and we have a great chance to continue in the next game at home.”

Conte could give Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi his first competitive start at the club if he chooses to rest Diego Costa.

Batshuayi, a £33.1million summer signing from Marseille, made impressive contributions from the bench against West Ham and Watford and is pushing hard for a start.

Midfielder John Obi Mikel is not expected to be available until the Premier League clash with Swansea on September 11 after helping Nigeria win a bronze medal in the Olympics.