Antonio Conte: Chelsea Must Improve And Here's How

Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge, London, August 23. Conte has warned his players that they must "kill" games off if they are to succeed. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty

Antonio Conte has sent a warning to his Chelsea players to "kill the game" off after watching his side concede twice against League One team Bristol Rovers.

Conte's side advanced to the third round of the EFL Cup with a 3-2 victory over Rovers at Stamford Bridge, and it wasn't all plain sailing for Chelsea.

Despite leading 3-1 and peppering the Rovers goal with 28 shots, an early second-half penalty from Ellis Harrison led to a nervous finish for the Italian.

"We must understand when you have the people to kill the game you must," Conte said. "When you leave it open, a situation like tonight can happen and until the game has finished you are afraid [of a draw]."

Victor Moses and Michy Batshuayi were on the scoresheet for the home side, with the latter arriving at the club from Marseille in the summer for £33 million ($44 million).

Midfield dynamo N'Golo Kante is Chelsea's other major signing of the window, after the club activated his £30 million release clause from Leicester City.

But Conte is keen to strengthen his defense further, seeing bids for Napoli's Kalidou Koulibaly and AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli rejected.

"We remain with only four defenders for the back line. We are a bit worried," he added.

"About this, the market I prefer to speak with the club and I repeat we stay in contact every day. We are trying to find the right solution to improve this team."

Chelsea welcome Burnley to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the Premier League.

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