Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois praises Michy Batshuayi's start at Chelsea

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 22 August 2016

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois predicts that Michy Batshuayi will break into the Blues starting lineup if he continues to impress at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has praised teammate Michy Batshuayi after the striker helped the Blues to back-to-back victories in the Premier League.

After setting up Diego Costa's winning goal against West Ham United, Batshuayi came off the bench to score in Chelsea's 2-1 success away at Watford on Saturday afternoon.

The summer signing has been limited to less than 30 minutes of playing time but Courtois has backed his Belgian teammate to continue to impress boss Antonio Conte.

The 24-year-old told the Evening Standard: "It's very good for him, I'm happy for him.

"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."

Batshuayi is expected to start when Chelsea host Bristol Rovers in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.