Today, Antonio Conte held his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday afternoon.
After losing to Burnley and seeing his thin squad reduced even further, it was always going to be an interesting press conference.
Asked about the red-card situation from last weekend, Antonio replied,
‘You know very well our situation after these two red cards given to Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas against Burnley.
‘We are preparing very well and must be focused on the pitch, on the game to do our best, to not find an excuse.
‘It can happen to receive two red cards, they miss the next game but a club like Chelsea must be ready for this situation.’
We must, it`s happened before and it`ll no doubt happen again.
Continuing, Antonio was asked about the injury situation, to which he replied,
‘Eden Hazard is improving, but to be fully fit we must have patience and do the best for him.
‘Tiemoue Bakayoko is improving very well, he is not at the top of physical condition, but I think he can be in contention for the game, because I do not have another midfielder.
‘His situation is not easy at the moment, it could force me to make a different decision. At this moment some players don`t have 100%.
‘Pedro has trained with us today, he had pain in his ankle. I don`t know if he is available on the bench.
‘Alvaro Morata is another player to continue to work to. We have to find the right solution, I have to face a difficult situation.’
One suggestion that has done the rounds related to David Luiz perhaps moving out of the defence to play in midfield, a suggestion that prompted Antonio to respond with,
‘In the past he played in the midfield. I prefer him to play central defence.
‘We are trying to find a different solution. He is a player to play in different solutions, it is a pleasure to have this sort of player.’
And when the subject of playing those of a more youthful nature, the gaffer responded with,
‘I utilised different young players last season – Nathaniel Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
‘For a club like Chelsea, if I have players ready to play, I am the first person to be happy. It is right for the players to progress.
‘I trust Andreas Christensen. He is a player ready to play for Chelsea. Last week he played a good game. He can improve a lot.’
Not giving too much away there the boss but I suspect we`ll see David Luiz in the heart of the defence, with Andreas Christensen alongside him and possibly Tiemoue Bakayoko getting his first Chelsea start.
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