Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Conte: Spurs able even without Kane
TOTTENHAM have shown they can cope without injured star striker Harry Kane, according to Chelsea team boss Antonio Conte.
England international Kane is a major doubt for Spurs’ Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge after sustaining ankle ligament damage three weeks ago.
The 24-year-old was expected to be sidelined until at least next month but Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has refused to rule him out of Sunday’s clash.
While Conte is full of admiration for Kane, he feels Spurs are dangerous opponents with or without their top goalscorer.
“I think we are talking about one of the best strikers in the world. I consider him one of the best strikers in the world,” said Conte.
“When you have a player, a striker, who scores 30 goals every season, for sure when he’s missing you can feel this. However, at the same time, Tottenham are an important team for the whole team.
“They have many i mportant players, many talented players. They play good football with great intensity. Also, in the past, they showed that, despite Kane missing many games, nothing has changed.”
Kane, winner of the Premier League Golden Boot for the past two seasons, has been in prolific form once again this campaign.
He hit 35 goals for Spurs in all competitions before his injury in the recent win at Bournemouth. Chelsea’s strikers, in contrast, have struggled to find the net on a regular basis.
Alvaro Morata has not managed a Premier League goal since Boxing Day, while January signing Olivier Giroud is still waiting for his first league strike since joining from Arsenal.
Morata’s poor form saw him left out of Spain’s squad during the international break, although Conte has backed the former Real Madrid player to enjoy a productive end to the season.
“I think that, in the last week and this week, he has worked very well,” the Italian coach said of Morata.
“I think he needed to work hard because, don’t forget, Alvaro was out for one and a half months with his back problem.
“Now Alvaro is really fit, 100%, and ready to have an important final of the season for Chelsea, and then for him, to have the chance to go and play in the World Cup.”
Chelsea have injury concerns regarding goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-back Andreas Christensen. David Luiz is out for three more weeks due to a knee injury.