Conte criticises Barkley’s debut for Chelsea

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has criticized Ross Barkley’s debut following the 2-1 defeat in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal at the Emirate Stadium.

Barkley joined Chelsea in the January transfer window for £15million after he initially halted a move to join the Premier League Champions during the summer transfer market.

The England international made thrown in by Conte in the match against Arsenal in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup to replace injured Willian in the first half but the new signing failed to make his presence known as Chelsea went down 2- 1 to Arsenal – with his debut summed up by a poor corner that failed to beat the first man in the final moments of the game.

The former Everton midfielder performance didn’t go unnoticed by Conte, with the Italian lamenting he ‘only’ had Barkley to call upon from the bench.

“When there is an injury to one of your best players it is not simple,” Conte said. “Especially when on the bench the only substitute is Ross Barkley.

“Barkley has a lot of space for improvement, he is working with us only two weeks but for sure today I was forced to make this substitution, but he can improve a lot.”

Chelsea will host AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday in their next Premier League, the Champions will also entertain Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United on Sunday in the FA Cup.

Sporting Tribune

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