Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Michy Batshuayi pushing for Chelsea starting place - Thibaut Courtois

Michy Batshuayi is giving Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte a big decision to make with his impressive performances from the bench, according to teammate Thibaut Courtois.

Conte brought on Batshuayi in place of Oscar with Chelsea trailing 1-0 to Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday, and the Belgium striker made an almost immediate impact in the 80th minute when he followed up Eden Hazard's low shot to score his first Premier League goal and level the score.

Diego Costa completed the Chelsea comeback on 87 minutes when he latched onto a Cesc Fabregas through ball, having also secured all three points for Conte at home to West Ham a week ago when he capitalised on a Batshuayi flick on.

After the Watford win Conte reiterated that he wants his players to "put themselves in the team" with their performances, and Courtois thinks Batshuayi -- who also struck the crossbar in the closing stages at Vicarage Road -- is doing just that.

"It's very good for him, I'm happy for him," Courtois told the Evening Standard when asked about Batshuayi. "Obviously he has to have a bit of patience with a top striker like Diego in front of him.

"But if he comes on and keeps making the difference like this, he makes it hard for the coach [to leave him out].

"Each time he came on he's been sharp, he was there in the right place and was a real danger.

"He scored against Watford but hit the crossbar as well -- it's a sign that he's ready and he wants to score, that he can be in the first XI as well."

Batshuayi is expected to be handed his first Chelsea start when Bristol Rovers visit Stamford Bridge in the second round of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, while academy graduates Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ola Aina and Nathaniel Chalobah should also feature.

Willian will be available again after sitting out the Watford victory with a minor calf problem.

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