Chelsea’s Gary Cahill will be in the correct mood for Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Brentford after he was included in the episode that left Hull City’s Ryan Mason with a cracked skull, his manager Antonio Conte said on Friday. Cahill was distraught after the sickening clash of heads with Mason on Sunday and visited him in hospital after the match, British media announced. “He was not so good. Now he’s in good form. He has overcome the situation,” Conte told reporters when asked about Cahill’s mental state. Mason is making good progress in his recovery after undergoing surgery. “I understand how Gary is feeling – I’m pleased the guy (Mason) is well. I wish him and his family the best. I would hope to see him very soon on the pitch again,” Conte said.
Chelsea have apparently had an offered for Celtic goalkeeper Craig Gordon rejected and Conte insisted his second-decision shot-stopper Asmir Begovic will go no place on the off chance that he can’t discover a substitution amid the January transfer window. “Begovic will be allowed to leave if we can find a suitable replacement, but if not, he will stay at the club. For sure there is this Begovic situation,” the manager added. “Bournemouth asked about him but he’s Chelsea’s player. I’m happy with him.”
“We want to avoid a replay if possible, so we must try to win the game… Begovic will start tomorrow,” he said. “Nathan Ake can play as a central defender or wing-back. It’s a good opportunity for him. Tomorrow’s game is another chance for Michy Batshuayi to show his improvement.” Conte implied he was probably going to handle a couple periphery players when Chelsea host second-level Brentford at Stamford Bridge in the fourth-round tie.
