While Chelsea fans may be getting carried away with Michy Batshuayi’s brace against Arsenal, Antonio Conte is being much more reserved.
Chelsea opened their pre-season campaign on Saturday with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Arsenal. Michy Batshuayi impressed during the contest, scoring twice with a couple of neat finishes. Speaking about the Belgian after the game, Antonio Conte was careful not to get too giddy.
"After one year he is working very well and he is improving. Me and my staff want to improve every player and Batshuayi is a young player with great potential and it is important for him and for us to work in this way, and for him to understand what I want. – via chelseafc.com"
Batshuayi entertained the fans last season. However, that was due to his social media activities rather than his performances on the pitch. He was very much behind Diego Costa and, on occasion, Conte opted for Eden Hazard as a false nine instead of starting the youngster.
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He enjoyed more football towards the end of the campaign and even scored the goal that clinched the Premier League title for the Blues. Fans will be hoping for him to be more involved this term and displays like the one against Arsenal strengthen his case.
While many are getting excited over his brace, Conte is ensuring that Batshuayi remains grounded. With Alvaro Morata arriving, the Belgian should again be playing second fiddle. The £70 million man is expected to be the team’s striker for the bulk of the games and Conte’s comments will only remind Batshuayi of that.
Having said that, the boss appears to be committed to Batshuayi’s future in West London. He is adamant about his talent and potential, but he still sees many areas for improvement.
With a significantly heavier schedule looming, Batshuayi should expect to start more regularly as rotation becomes necessary. Conte will be judging him on more than goal production, though. For these formations, the striker’s positioning is vital. Batshuayi will need to show a deeper understanding of Conte’s tactics before he is afforded more trust.
Nevertheless, if the Belgian can score a few more goals this pre-season, the pressure will be on Alvaro Morata. Conte does not seem like the type of person who will start a player based on his price tag. If Morata disappoints, Batshuayi should be ready to step in.
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What did you think of Batshuayi’s performance? Are you hopeful of seeing more of the Belgian this season? Sound off in the comments below!