Double boost bolsters the Blues
Hazard’s return to full fitness and Costa’s departure lifts boss Conte
STOKE-ON-TRENT, England — Antonio Conte was left frustrated by Chelsea’s failure to beat Arsenal last weekend, but the Blues boss has been given a lift ahead of Saturday’s trip to Stoke City by Eden Hazard’s return and the end of the Diego Costa saga.
Conte’s stand-off with Costa had proved an unwelcome distraction this season after the Italian told the Brazilborn Spain international forward he was no longer part of his plans at Chelsea.
Since then, Costa has spent much of his time in Brazil while securing a return to his former club Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea confirmed Costa’s exit on Thursday and the 28-year-old will formally join Atletico in January.
More importantly from Conte’s point of view, Costa will move to Madrid immediately to train with his new club, drawing a line under the matter.
Conte will now be able to focus fully on players still at Stamford Bridge, and Hazard made his first start of the season in the 5-1 League Cup defeat of Nottingham Forest this week.
The Blues’ star playmaker had made just three appearances off the bench this season after breaking his ankle at the end of last term.
But the Belgian’s performance against Forest confirmed he is fully fit and his presence at bet365 Stadium for a testing meeting with Stoke will be invaluable.
Conte is well aware of the Potters’ strengths and insisted there is no way he will take the game lightly as Chelsea attempts to close the threepoint gap to the Manchester clubs at the summit of the standings.
“Now it is very important to prepare. It is a very important game for us,” Conte said.
“This season Stoke has won at home against Arsenal and drawn against Manchester United. We must be ready.”
Luiz-less
Chelsea will be without centerback David Luiz who is suspended after being sent off in the 0-0 draw with Arsenal, although the Brazilian’s return will not be further delayed by the wrist fracture he picked up in that game.
Pedro will play despite limping out of the Gunners clash with an ankle injury.
“Pedro is fit for the game against Stoke on Saturday,” confirmed Conte.
For Stoke boss Mark Hughes, the concerns are twofold ahead of Saturday’s game.
First, he must hope captain Ryan Shawcross recovers in time to return to central defense in place of Chelsea loanee Kurt Zouma, who is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Hughes must also find a way to galvanize his side after two disappointing away defeats, at Newcastle United last weekend and at Championship side Bristol City in the League Cup on Tuesday.
Stoke is without a win in its last four outings but its last home game was an impressive 2-2 draw against joint leader Manchester United.
Stoke’s former United midfielder Darren Fletcher said: “We’ve got to learn from it quickly because we’ve got big games coming up.
“You’ve got to look at yourself quickly and rectify mistakes. Going up against a top side like Chelsea, you’ve got to be bang at it.
“You need character away from home and stand up and be counted, but it’s in the past now. We’ve got to look to Chelsea, pick ourselves up, learn from this and go again.
“We’ve been good at home — beat Arsenal, drew with Manchester United.
“We have got to get back to that level of performance if we are to do anything against Chelsea.”