Antonio Conte no concerns about starting Gary Cahill against Hull in wake of Ryan Mason retirement

Cahill is understood to be devastated about Hull’s Mason retirement from football this week, one year on from the head injury he suffered from a collision with the Chelsea defender

Conte was clear that Hull would not blame Cahill for the injury, as he had done nothing wrong (Getty)

Chelsea manager has no qualms about starting Gary Cahill against Hull City in Friday’s FA Cup fifth round match. Cahill is understood to be devastated about Hull’s Ryan Mason retirement from football this week, one year on from the head injury he suffered from a collision with the Chelsea defender. But Conte made clear at his press conference at Cobham on Thursday afternoon that Cahill was blameless, and that injuries are an unfortunate part of the game.

Friday’s match will be Hull’s first game since Mason made his announcement on Tuesday morning that he will be retiring from the game. He has not played since fracturing his skull on 22 January 2017 in an accidental collision trying to head the ball during a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge. There is an open invitation from Chelsea for Mason and his family to come to the Bridge – his parents both have season tickets there – but he is not expected to be at Friday’s game.

Cahill is likely to feature for Chelsea on Friday, having been on the bench on Monday evening, but Conte has no worries about his mentality and focus after a difficult time for the England centre-back.

“This is a question for Gary, but at the same time, I think it's okay,” Conte said. “We are talking about a top player, no? For his commitment, his behaviour during, before, and after the game. This type of situation can happen. I was a player and I understand it, when I was 16 my team-mate broke my leg and risked my whole career. It was an unlucky situation. Gary is a fantastic guy, a fantastic person. He must be okay because it's not his fault.”

Conte was clear that Hull would not blame Cahill, as he had done nothing wrong. “Hull City don’t remember [blame] him, and don’t give him bad feelings,” Conte said.

So Conte has not seen reason to speak to Cahill specifically about the incident, because he trusts that Cahill will be able to play tomorrow. “I must be honest, I did not speak with him about it,” Conte said. “I think that, if I have to go to speak with him, it means there is a problem. I don't see a problem. Football is this. Sometimes it can happen, this type of situation. The most important thing is there is not the will to do this. We are very sad for this news. But football is this. You have to try and accept also these bad situations. They can happen.”