Antonio Conte hands Juan Cuadrado a second chance at Chelsea: ‘I’m very happy to have him’

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will give Juan Cuadrado a second chance at the Premier League club after the Colombian winger's struggles under former coach Jose Mourinho.

Juan Cuadrado scored four goals and created six assists during his time on loan at Juventus last season. Guiseppe Cacace / AFP
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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will give Juan Cuadrado a second chance at the Premier League club after the Colombian winger struggled under former coach Jose Mourinho.

Cuadrado, 28, moved to Chelsea from Serie A side Fiorentina in February 2015 for a reported fee of £23.5 million (Dh113m), but made just four starts before leaving for Juventus on loan last season.

Cuadrado impressed during his spell in Turin, scoring four goals and creating six assists to help Juventus retain their Serie A title.

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The arrival of Conte, who attempted to sign Cuadrado during his time as Juventus manager, at Chelsea has given Cuadrado a clean slate at Stamford Bridge, and the former Italy manager has confirmed he will be part of his plans for the new season.

“Juan Cuadrado is a Chelsea player,” Conte said. “He will come back very soon. He’s in our squad, I’m very happy to have him and train him.

“I wanted him when I was a coach at Juventus and he will come back very soon and train and play with us.

“Now, he’s a Chelsea player and he’ll stay with us. If something changes you’ll know.”

Cuadrado’s presence will provide some much needed depth to Chelsea’s wide attacking positions, with Eden Hazard and Willian the usual first choices for the left and right berths respectively.

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