Antonio Conte: Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has right characteristics to play as a striker

Conte handed Loftus-Cheek, 20, his first appearance of the 2016/17 season in the clash at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening, with the Italian opting to utilise the midfielder just behind striker Michy Batshuayi.
Conte had earlier in the summer insisted that Loftus-Cheek is suited to playing in such an advanced role, saying: "Every manager has their own idea about a system of play.
"In this system, with two midfielders, Ruben can play close to the other forward but become a forward when we have the ball.
"He has the right characteristics to play in this position. Ruben is young with great potential. I like him a lot in the position of striker."

And after the midfielder impressed in the win over Bristol Rovers, setting up Batshuayi's second goal of the night with his fine run and cross from the right flank, Conte revealed he sees the Chelsea academy graduate playing in a more forward role permanently.
"I liked it because he played a good game with a good intensity," Conte told the club's official website. "He did what I wanted. In defensive situations he became a midfielder, when we were attacking he became a forward.
"I am happy with his commitment and his attitude. Ruben has great potential. He is a young player who can improve a lot. I see him every day and during the training sessions he wants to improve, he wants to work very hard and I like this.
"He has the right characteristics to play in this role [as a striker]. He is physically very strong, he is very good playing with his back to goal, he also has good technique, he sees the goal very well, and he has a good shot. He can play in this role.
"It’s right to give opportunities to young players like Loftus with great talent to stay with the first team and help us. It’s the same for [Ola] Aina."

Conte was disappointed with Cherlsea's defending on the night though, as they rode their luck at times to secure the win after twice squandering two-goal leads.
The coach added: "We must understand that when you have the opportunity to kill the game, you must kill the game.
"It’s a pity because we were dominating the game but then we suffered. Tonight I knew the English cup, I knew the atmosphere, and I can tell these games are very tough for all.
"We created a lot of chances in the first half to score many goals, but I don’t like when you concede two goals in this situation, from a free-kick and a penalty.
"When you leave it open a situation like tonight can happen when you stay afraid of drawing the game until the end.’