Morata
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has claimed his side may be without Alvaro Morata for some time yet, and that the back injury keeping the player out shows no signs of being fixed.
That’s not great news for Chelsea, and while they only have to face West Brom and Hull in their next couple of games, it’s the Champions League tie against Barcelona that will have Conte and the fans worrying.
Conte did admit that winter signing Giroud is available, and will be able to play this weekend, and Chelsea know they can’t drop anymore ground in the race for the top four after inconsistent results since the turn of the year.
Conte said in his presser: “Giroud is training with us and is in contention.
“Players like Morata we are missing for a long period.
“I don’t know, he is trying to stop this pain in his back.
“I don’t know and for this reason I am a bit worried as you know very well the importance of this player.”
Staying
When it comes to his own future, Conte wasn’t pulling any punches, and made it clear that he is fully committed to Chelsea, the players and the club.
It may well be the case that he leaves come the end of the season, but for now, the Chelsea boss is happy to stay and work with the under-performing players – and has even given them some time off due to their heavy schedules.
“I am not thinking for only one moment the possibility of going away from this club.
“My commitment and the players are totally for this club.
“A lot of time in football the manager and the coach depends on the result. At the moment we are having a poor result.
“For this reason we have to pay great attention.
“I think it was the only moment in the whole season to give them a bit of rest. For this reason.
“I think in the future it will be very important to have a little space and room with the federation to give a bit of room for the players. When you play a lot of games, especially when you go through in the competitions.
“We are playing in the FA Cup and two games against Norwich, then CL and the league.
“A bit of rest for the players, not just mine, but in general is important.