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Five lessons learnt during Chelsea’s come-back EFL Cup win over Leicester

By The Pride of London Staff

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea celebrates with team mates after scoring his sides third goal during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Cesc Fabregas of Chelsea celebrates with team mates after scoring his sides third goal during the EFL Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Chelsea at The King Power Stadium on September 20, 2016 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /
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LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20 : Manager Antonio Conte celebrates Cesc Fabregas’ goal to make it 2-3 in extra time during the EFL third round cup match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on September 20th , 2016 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 20 : Manager Antonio Conte celebrates Cesc Fabregas’ goal to make it 2-3 in extra time during the EFL third round cup match between Leicester City and Chelsea at the King Power Stadium on September 20th , 2016 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images) /

Antonio Conte wants this trophy – Ajitesh Rasgotra

Traditionally, the League Cup is the competition which most big Premier League clubs take lightly. Given the fixture congestion that is modern football, those with European commitments use this minor tournament as an opportunity to rest key players.

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Even without European football, top-level players like Eden Hazard and Diego Costa started Tuesday’s contest on the bench. However, with the score level, Conte moved to bring the latter on in the 67th minute.

The partnership between Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Michy Batshuayi was not working. Evidently eager to force the issue and get the win, Conte introduced his top scorer.

Significantly, this was one of the earliest substitutions that the new boss has made. This is a sign that Conte wants the EFL Cup in his cabinet and rightly so.

Without European football and a shaky start to the league, this represents Chelsea’s best shot at silverware. A big club needs to continue to register cups even when the going is tough, otherwise they fall into the mould of Arsenal.

Conte appears keen to win this trophy on his own terms, not as by-product of some good luck and circumstance.

What did you learn from the win? Let us know in the comments section below!

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