As Chelsea FC Manager Antonio Conte strives to prepare his team for the opener on August 15th against West Ham, plenty of questions linger. Can the Italian take a team that was contentious and divided last season, and reshape it into a unified family again?
What about that very suspect looking back line? Will they get it together once Kurt Zouma returns? Who will be in the starting XI? (Here’s a link to couple different guesses)
How will the big summer signing from Leicester City, N’Golo Kante, integrate with the team? What’s the future of Diego Costa? Well, ahead of tomorrow’s preseason clash against AC Milan, the manager indicated that both Kante and Costa will feature tonight in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Diego Costa, I am very confident about his injury,” Conte said. “Now he’s available for [Wednesday’s] game against Milan. He’s available and I am very happy that I can count on him.”
On Saturday, Conte had left some wiggle room for Costa’s future with the club to be in substantial doubt, telling the media in the Michigan Stadium press room:
“I speak for today and today Costa is Chelsea’s player. Tomorrow if you ask me if Costa will remain with us, I don’t know.”
Today in Minnesota, Conte would only add this: “Diego Costa is Chelsea’s player and he’s very happy to stay with us.”
On the topic of the stellar former Leicester midfielder, Conte sounded much more sure of his selection tonight.
“Kante is in good shape and I found him in very good condition,” Conte said. “Now he’s working on the tactical aspect, also the physical aspect. But right now he’s in good shape.
“Tomorrow, he can play one half or 30 minutes, but he’s ready. He’s ready and I’m very happy to see him so ready to play.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
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