Conte confirms Chelsea trio remain sidelined
Ross Barkley, Tiemoue Bakayoko and David Luiz remain unavailable for Chelsea’s game against Manchester United, Antonio Conte has confirmed.
Blues boss Conte has also confirmed that Chelsea have no new injuries ahead of Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford.
A win would take Chelsea level on points with United and the outcome of this weekend’s game could prove to be crucial in the battle for a Champions League place.
“We have to look at ourselves and understand that from now until the end of the season every game is very important for us,” said Conte.
“Three points are very important for us and for Manchester United because the run for the Champions League place is open and in this run there are many great teams and someone has to stay out from the next Champions League.
“When you play Manchester United you have to know that anything can happen and there is a risk of losing because Manchester United are a really strong team.
“It is a massive game for us and we must put 120% of our strength in to try to get three points.”
Barkley was not included in the squad for the midweek Champions League game against Barcelona.
He has trained this week but is not considered fit enough to be in contention for a return to action.
23/02/2018 @ 3:03 pm
barkley, signed after a serious injury, “deal of the century”, featured twice? yet to impress.
bakayoko, signed after serious injury, “great deal”, miserably flopped.
palmieri, signed after serious injury, “wonderful addition”, yet to be seen.
was not drinkwater signed while injured, or i am repeating myself.
this are “the improvements” conte gets, but he just battles on, regardless.
there is a huge “blackhole” in chelsea’s midfield, warping and destabilizing the whole system, (playing only midfielders/no striker against barca was a stroke-of-genius “somersault” attempt of conte’s to plug it) this problem, still unaddressed, will cost the club the top 4 finish. 3-4-3, (the winning system), puts an enormous pressure on kante in a two men midfield, the remedy 3-5-2, (the losing system), a safer but clumsier midfield, deprives of attacking prowess. why did we lose matic? go figure.