Costa set for axe with Ake in from cold
ANTONIO CONTE is plotting a surprise team selection at Wembley tonight — with Nathan Ake in for a rare start and out-of-form Diego Costa uncertain of his place in Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final team.
Costa is without a goal in six games and Conte has explored his options in training this week with both Eden Hazard and Michy Batshauyi operating at centre-forward.
Costa has been left to sweat on his place but Ake is set for only his third appearance since he was recalled from a loan spell at Bournemouth in January.
Ake will replace Gary Cahill, who has gastroenteritis, deployed on the left of the back-three which denies John Terry the chance for a romantic end to a week when it was confirmed he will leave Stamford Bridge. Cahill was hospitalised this week but was back at the Chelsea training ground yesterday training alone.
‘It’s impossible,’ said Conte, when asked if Cahill may feature against Tottenham in the Cup. ‘It is not a serious problem, he is getting better but this period has not been lucky for us.
‘Ake deserves this chance. He has shown great commitment and worked very hard. He is ready for this opportunity. I trust him.’
Conte says he will only consider Terry for the role in the centre of his back-three which is in the possession of David Luiz.
The Chelsea manager, however, insisted he was disappointed to learn he would be losing his club captain at the end of the season.
‘John has been very important for me,’ said Conte. ‘The problem is John wants to play regularly and we respect that.
‘I know when you arrive at this point and your mind and body tell you that you want to play regularly it is right to continue. Because when you finish you finish.’
Conte has reacted to Sunday’s defeat at Manchester United by shaking things up in training, trying new combinations.
He’s searched for an alternative to Costa who has lost form at a vital time of the campaign.
‘He is keeping goals for the finale of the season,’ smiled Conte.
Hazard has played the central role with success this season and is the most likely option.
Thibaut Courtois and Marcos Alonso are both fit to return.
Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, meanwhile, claimed his storming of the top four with Tottenham was a greater feat than Pep Guardiola winning a title at Barcelona or Conte at Juventus.
‘Here is a massive success,’ said the Argentinian. ‘We’re showing we are a team you can trust.
‘Yes, you can win titles. But with which teams? It is normal to win titles with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Juventus.
‘Success for me is to finish in the top four like last season. It was a big success for Tottenham and means maybe more than winning a title with Barcelona.’
Conte’s reaction was to point out that Pochettino ought to be winning trophies rather than generating excuses after three years at White Hart Lane.
‘Tottenham is a great power in English football,’ said Conte. ‘They must be considered at the top. Not to consider them the underdog and have this excuse. There is a moment where you have to finish. This is the right moment.’