Chelsea boss Conte praises Chalobah and Aina

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte felt Nathaniel Chalobah and Oina Aina played their part in a good team performance at West Ham.

The two youngsters featured at the London Stadium, where the Blues bowed out of the EFL Cup with a 2-1 defeat.

Conte was nevertheless encouraged by the display and felt Chalobah and Aina contributed.

“This game was important to check the development of these players,” the Italian said.

“They need to play and for this reason I am disappointed we can’t play (in the EFL Cup) in the future.

“The young players, like the other players, played a good game with the right intensity.”

Conte insisted he was “optimistic” despite the loss against the Hammers.

He explained: “I saw the right spirit and that is very important.

“You can lose, but I always want to see the right spirit and if you have that spirit you know you can work.”