Conte stands by decision to allow Courtois to take penalty

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Antonio Conte stood by the decision to allow Thibaut Courtois to take a penalty against Arsenal at Wembley, where Chelsea lost in a shoot-out.

Chelsea goalkeeper Courtois blasted over and new signing Alvaro Morata hit the post as the Gunners won the Community Shield by converting all their penalties.

But Conte insisted Courtois had showed in training that he can take penalties.

Speaking at his post-match press conference, the Italian said: “Courtois is one of the best players to kick a penalty.”

Conte was then asked if he would have allowed the Belgian to take a penalty had it been in the Champions League rather than the Community Shield.

He replied: “If you have a player who shows you during the training sessions to be one of the best then you pick him to shoot the penalty.

“Don’t forget that Morata is a forward and he did the same.”

Conte’s focus is now on Saturday’s game against Burnley, when the Premier League champions will begin the defence of their title at Stamford Bridge.

He said: “We tried to win (against Arsenal) and to improve our physical condition because in six days we have to start the league.

“The most important thing now is to continue to work and continue to improve.”