Kante started at the base of midfield in the only change to the Chelsea team that started last season s opening game – a 2-2 draw with Swansea City that gave the first hints of the rot that was about to set in.
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“Cesc is Chelsea’s player and I’m happy with his attitude and behaviour”.
“That can happen that Fabregas is not in the starting XI, but it can happen for all the players”.
With the first round of the Premier League done and dusted now, let’s take a look at the 5 talking points of the game between Chelsea and West Ham.
“I hope with work, with my players, we will pay (back) this welcome”.
“I think in the situation with Adriano, he made the right decision”.
There was Branislav Ivanović, looking solid in defense alongside his usual cohorts, but also marauding up the field and flipping the script on the Hammers’ unsafe wingers.
The Blues were pushed all the way to the wire in their Premier League opener, after James Collins’ equaliser had cancelled out Eden Hazard’s penalty. There was Oscar and Willian, both working hard as usual, but also creating chances.
However, Conte had something to say about that, although he did not particularly mention that his statement was a direct response to his United rival. When you are a great team like Chelsea it can happen. “I’m very pleased with his performance, but he knows he can improve a lot”.
The game started off with great intensity, and Kante found himself booked just three minutes in for a tackle on Andy Carroll.
“We have to wait on Andre Ayew”, Bilic said.
“I took this decision but in the next game we don’t know”.
“It is very important for us to get off to get off to a good start”. Last year they came into the season with all eyes on them for the right reasons, and this year they’re starting it out with everyone paying attention to them for all the wrong ones.
Costa was perhaps fortunate to find himself in a position to win the game for Chelsea as the Hammers were calling for him to be sent off for a challenge on goalkeeper Adrian. I don’t think it was reckless. But it was late. “Unfortunately this was the 10th time”. We played well after 1-1, but we made the mistake in the middle of the park.
Coming off pre-season wins over AC Milan and Werder Bremen, the Blues know they have the quality all of the pitch, and can give any side trouble. “That’s not why we lost; I’m more concerned with conceding late”.
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“Koulibaly? I don’t talk about players from other clubs, that’s not respectful”. “We can do much better”. Now we are looking forward to the future.
