Chelsea's Antonio Conte on 'great difference' in quality between Tiemoue Bakayoko and Nathaniel Chalobah

Experienced: Bakayoko reached the Champions League semi-finals with Monaco last season
AFP/Getty Images
Simon Johnson27 July 2017

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has defended his decision to buy Tiemoue Bakayoko for £40m and part with Nathaniel Chalobah.

Bakayoko's arrival from Monaco paved the way for Chalobah's £5.5m move to Watford.

Both are 22-years-old and play as a defensive midfielder. Chalobah wanted more first team football and so rejected a new contract to move to Vicarage Road, where he spent a season on loan in 2012/13.

When asked if he could understand why Bakayoko's arrival would have sent the wrong message to Chalobah, Conte said: "I think, honestly, at this moment there is a great difference between the two players.

"You are talking about one player who has played with Monaco, who has maybe 100 appearances for that club. He has played in the Champions League and has played regularly.

"Try to understand the difference before you judge. People who do, do not understand the difference."

Meanwhile, Conte has revealed Chelsea staged a late bid for Kyle Walker earlier in July, but lose out to Manchester City.

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