Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is asking for patience with summer signing Tiemoue Bakayoko, who has had a shaky start to life in Chelsea.

Bakayoko joined the Blues from Monaco for a hefty fee of £40m, but he’s yet to replicate the same form that made Chelsea spend so much on his transfer.

However, Conte has asked for patience with the 23-year-old, while also accepting that the France international must improve on his football.

Conte said: “Don’t forget, Bakayoko is a player who is very young. Only 23 years old. For many reasons, he played a lot of games. I think he needs for sure to improve on the tactical aspect, with us, and to go into our idea of football.

“But at the same time, for a young player to play regularly, with this regularity, is not simple. Not simple. He’s playing well. It’s normal that you can alternate good performances with other performances less good.

“But I think he’s a young player who is working very well. I’m very happy with his commitment, with his behaviour. But, for sure, he has a lot of space for improvement.”