Antonio Conte tells Tiemoue Bakayoko to emulate N'Golo Kante to become a Chelsea star

Simon Johnson16 September 2017

Tiemoue Bakayoko has been told to follow N'Golo Kante's example to become a star for Chelsea in the Premier League.

Bakayoko has started just two games since joining from Monaco for £40million in July, but has impressed in wins over Tottenham and Leicester.

The 23-year-old is getting close to full match fitness after having knee surgery back in May, however he is still learning Chelsea coach Antonio Conte's system.

Fellow France international Kante has already played under the Italian for over a year and the midfielder has improved on his fine form at Leicester as was shown by his Player of the Year awards last term.

Conte feels Bakayoko can take his game on to another level too and said: "I think he's very close to being totally involved in our idea of football.

"He can improve a lot with the ball. We are working about this aspect. We did the same with N'Golo when he arrived here.

"If you remember [Kante] was very, very good without the ball, to win the ball, to recover the ball.

Chelsea's oddball training session - In pictures

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"Now I think you can see a complete player with the ball, without the ball. He's a complete player.

"We want to work in the same way to have this process with Baka. This will be better for him and for the team."

Conte went to watch Bakayoko in action for Monaco on more than one occasion last term and is delighted that he has been added to the squad at Stamford Bridge.

He added: "I think Baka is a good player. He's 23-years-old. Don't forget this. He has a lot of room to improve in the tactical aspect, also in the physical aspect, but I think Baka has been a good signing for us.

"He's working very well and he needs a bit more time than the other players to understand very well our style of football.

"Above all if you are a midfielder, you need time to understand the right position. We try to play with an identity and if you want to give an identity to your team, every single player needs to know very well your idea of football.

"I'm very happy because he's improving a lot. In the last 10 days he improved a lot in the tactical aspect, also in the physical aspect. He's a powerful player, for sure a good signing for us."

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