Conte warns Luiz, criticises Jose Mourinho’s ‘injury’ remark after win

LONDON: Antonio Conte has warned David Luiz he faces a fight to win back his Chelsea place after the Brazil defender was dropped for the 1-0 win over Manchester United.

Luiz paid the price for some sloppy performances as Blues boss Conte left him out of the squad at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Conte had been prompted to ditch Luiz following the midweek Champions League loss at Roma. But, having told a television interviewer after the United game that he didn’t know if the defender had a future at Chelsea, when he faced the written press, he only told Luiz he wouldn’t be granted an immediate recall.

“It’s very simple, the coach has to make the best decision for the team. Tonight the best decision was to play (Andreas) Christensen and have (Ethan) Ampadu on the bench,” Conte said. “I decided this way tonight.”

Conte’s decision to axe Luiz was as much a warning to the rest of the squad to improve their performances.

SWIPE AT MOURINHO

Conte couldn’t resist taking a swipe at United manager Jose Mourinho, who had mocked the Italian’s complaints about injuries earlier this season.

Mourinho mentioned injuries to the likes of Paul Pogba as a reason why United slumped to their second defeat in their last three league games. But Conte said: “When you have 24 players in the squad, if you have one or two injuries that doesn’t work.”

It was another chastening return to the Bridge for Mourinho, who has been beaten on all three of his visits to his old club since taking charge at United last term.