GOSSIP: Conte reveals he substituted Bakayoko because he had a yellow card II 042 reporters

- Antonio Conte states the reason he substituted Tiemoue Bakayoko against Leicester - Chelsea won the match 2-1 at the King Power Stadium after extra time - Bakayoko has come under heavy criticisms after failing to live up to the billing 

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has insisted that he did not take Tiemoue Bakayoko off against Leicester because of his performance level. However, Conte stated it was because the France international was on a yellow card he picked up moments before the half-time whistle. The Italian said after the game: "I think it was a decision because he took a yellow card. “And, as you know very well, we are talking about a player with great physicality. "In a game like this, you have to prevent and try to avoid a second yellow card. “Only for this reason I decided to change him after the first half." 

Bakayoko joined Chelsea in a £40m deal from Monaco in the summer but has come in for heavy criticism for not living up to the billing during his short time at Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old has failed deliver according to his huge price tag and has struggled for game time in recent weeks under Conte. The France international returned to Conte’s starting line up as Chelsea beat Leicester 2-1 after extra time in the FA Cup quarter finals. 

Bakayoko lasted just 45 minutes against the Foxes, with Cesc Fabregas coming on for him after the half time break. Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Chelsea before Jamie Vardy leveled the scores 14 minutes from time to take the game to extra time. Pedro scored Chelsea’s winner to take the Blues into the FA Cup semi-finals, where they face Southampton at the Wembley Stadium.