Ray Wilkins: Summer Chelsea signing will be ‘exceptional’ but not yet
Antonio Conte believes that Tiemoue Bakayoko will become a top player for Chelsea but warned it will take some time
Tiemoue Bakayoko will develop into an “exceptional” player for Chelsea but he still has plenty of work to do, according to Ray Wilkins.
The midfielder arrived at Stamford Bridge from Monaco in the summer transfer window after Antonio Conte opted to let Nemanja Matic leave the club to sign for Manchester United.
Bakayoko has been a regular fixture in the Chelsea squad so far this season and he found the net during the Blues’ 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
However, former Chelsea coach believes that it will take Bakayoko some time to properly adapt to the rigours of English football following his move from Monaco in the summer.
Speaking on Sky Sports News on Monday morning, Wilkins said: “We’ve replaced Matic with Bakayoko.
“I think in the coming years he will be an exceptional player because he has that stature and that ability.
“Matic had that know-how and knew exactly how to play in that position and I think Bakayoko is still growing in that situation.”
Bakayoko will be hoping to feature for Chelsea when the Blues return to Champions League action on Wednesday night with a home clash against Roma.
Chelsea have been in stuttering form in recent weeks and have lost their last two Premier League games, to leave them nine points behind leaders Manchester City in the table.
The Blues will aim to get back to winning ways in the Premier League next weekend when they host Watford at Stamford Bridge, with the Hornets fresh from their 2-1 comeback win over Arsenal on Saturday.
