Conte impressed by Chelsea stand-in Ake

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte believes he has a ready-made replacement for David Luiz if required, with up-and-coming defender Nathan Ake ready to step into the void.

Versatile Dutchman Ake, 22, came on for the final ten minutes in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Everton with Luiz limping off with a leg injury.

Ake impressed so much on loan at Bournemouth earlier this term that Conte was prompted to recall him early from the Vitality Stadium.

And the Italian manager is adamant he will be an able deputy should Luiz fail to recover in time for next Monday’s clash with Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge.

“I don’t think it is a serious injury for him,” he said.

“I hope in the next game that David Luiz is available to play. Also now in this part of the season it is important sometimes to try to play if you are not 100 per cent with your condition.

“He is showing us great commitment in this season. Don’t forget his injury in the knee after the game against City – but I am very pleased for the impact of Ake in (the Everton) game.

“He came on and I think he looks a veteran and it is great.

“He is only a young player that started to play for two years, Watford and Bournemouth, and now is showing great commitment, work-rate and concentration when I ask him to play. It is great for him.

“It is not easy to be used to play every game for Bournemouth and to arrive for Chelsea and stay on the bench and sometimes understand.

“But I think he understood I trust him because I put him in the (FA Cup) semi-final against Tottenham. I put him now in a very important moment for us.”