Antonio Conte sends message to N’Golo Kante ahead of Chelsea v Qarabag

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte Photo: Screengrab

Antonio Conte has warned N’Golo Kante that he still has plenty of room for improvement as Chelsea prepare to make their Champions League return on Tuesday night.

The midfielder has earned a reputation as one of the Premier League’s top talents since breaking into the Leicester City team in their title-winning campaign in 2015-16.

Kante then helped Chelsea to win the Premier League title last season as he was voted as the PFA player of the year following his first campaign at Chelsea.

The midfielder is now preparing to make his first appearance for the west London club in the Champions League as the Blues prepare to host Qarabag at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

However, although Conte has been delighted by Kante’s form in recent weeks, he has warned the midfielder that he must continue to work hard on improving his game.

Conte told his post-match news conference after Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Leicester: “Before a lot of people told me that without the ball he has great stamina and he is an amazing worker.

“Now with the ball he is improving a lot. I am happy for this because we are working a lot with him. Now I think he is a top player.

“To be the best player in the Premier League last season is a great thing and this season he is confirming this.

“N’Golo is a very important player for us, but every single player can improve and you must have the will to work and to improve. Until the end of your career you can always improve.”

Chelsea have won their last three Premier League games to leave them third in the Premier League table.

It was a shaky start to the new season for the west London club, who lost 3-2 to Burnley at Stamford Bridge before bouncing back with victories over Tottenham, Everton and Leicester City.

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