Conte heaps praise on Oscar

Cape Town - Antonio Conte has praised Oscar for his goal-scoring performance from the bench in Chelsea's 3-1 win over AC Milan in their International Champions Cup clash played in Minnesota on Wednesday.

Bertrand Traore opened the scoring in the tie after just 24 minutes with a close-range headed goal, before a Giacomo Bonaventura free-kick on 38 minutes sent the teams into the half-time break on level pegging.

But second-half substitute Oscar, who replaced Cesc Fabregas on 59 minutes, was quickly into the action with a successfully converted penalty on 70 minutes, before bagging his second of the night three minutes before the final whistle.

Conte said after the match: "Oscar is an important player and I think the season when Chelsea won the title, he played a fantastic season.

"Last season was bad for all the players, not only for Oscar or for another player, for all.

"I think Oscar is a good player with a great talent and he can improve a lot. I am seeing in him a good attitude and a good will."

Conte also revealed that the match, in which new signing N’Gole Kante made his first appearance, gave him a better idea of the players he wants to keep in his squad ahead of the new season.

He added: "I think this match told me a lot - about the players who keep and who can go on loan or we can sell. Today, it was important because I have a more clear idea than before.

"Now we go back to London and it’s important for me, for the club, to talk and take the decision about all the players. In this pre-season we work with 30 players, four goalkeepers and 26 players. A lot of players.

"Now remains one game against Werder Bremen and then we must take the decision."

Chelsea's final pre-season friendly is against Werder Bremen on 7 August.