Conte reportedly keen to keep Pato at Chelsea

Chelsea loanee Alexandre Pato has reportedly been told by incoming boss Antonio Conte that he is wanted at Stamford Bridge next season.

Pato joined the Blues in January from Corinthians until the end of the season but the Brazilian had to wait until April 2 before he was handed he debut.

The 26-year-old came off the bench at Aston Villa to score from the penalty spot before being handed his first start in last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Swansea, where he featured for just over an hour.

Despite his limited involvement under Guus Hiddink, Pato has been reassured by Conte that he could have a long-term future in west London.

That is according to the Daily Star, which also reports that Conte is keen to keep Thibaut Courtois as his number one.

Like many of his team-mates, Courtois’ performances have fallen short of last season’s title-winning standards, with the Belgian recently refusing to commit to Chelsea amid links with Real Madrid.

But Conte is understood to be keen to work with Coutois when he arrives at Stamford Bridge after leading Italy at Euro 2016.