BIG CONTE RISK: HAZARD, MORATA ON BLUES’ BENCH
ANTONIO CONTE admits he will take a major “risk” by resting big names for Chelsea’s Champions League return.
Conte hinted he will leave Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata on the bench and will make further changes as they face rank outsiders Qarabag. The
Blues boss says the demands of the Premier League mean he will have to gamble in Europe.
“There is always a risk,” the Italian said. “The risk could be to play with the same players I did against Leicester, and then it would be, ‘Why didn’t you change the team?’.
“If you win, it was the best decision. If you lose, it was the worst decision.
“To play every three days, honestly it is not easy for the players to play every game.
“The English teams have difficulties because the league is very tough here.
“In the past, before Champions League games, I rested players, but in England it’s very difficult to do this. You risk a lot.
“But we are ready and, for this reason, we must rotate all the squad.
“Hazard is in the group, in the squad, and is working very well for the best physical condition.
“But I think he needs a bit more time to continue to improve and not to take stupid risks with him. Now he’s available and will be on the bench.
“Morata’s playing very well. But he played the whole game with Spain and at Leicester.
“I have to check, then make the best decision. When you play seven games in 21 days, it is necessary to rotate.”