Antonio
Conte doesn't believe David Luiz suffered a serious injury against Everton
but has faith Nathan Ake can replace the Brazilian if he has to spend any
time on the sidelines.
Luiz limped out of Chelsea's 3-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday
but Ake, who spent the first half of the season at Bournemouth, came on for
the last eight minutes and helped the Blues see out the game.
Conte hopes Luiz will not miss any games but says Ake, who was making his
first league appearance for the Blues this season, would be more than able
to fill in for the 30-year-old.
"I didn't speak with the doctor about his (Luiz's) injury but I don't think
it is a serious injury for him," said Conte, whose side's next outing is a
Monday Night Football date with Middlesbrough on May 8.
"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, 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."
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