SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 18 hrs 1 min
Upcoming predictions and previews

Antonio Conte: 'I don't mind playing Eden Hazard at false nine'

:Headline: Antonio Conte: 'I don't mind playing Eden Hazard at false nine': ID:320545: from db_amp
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says that he will continue to play Eden Hazard in a 'false nine' role if it benefits the team going forward.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has said that he will continue to play Eden Hazard in a 'false nine' role if it benefits the team going forward.

Conte was criticised for his tactics in last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Manchester City, in which Hazard failed to have an impact on the game from that position.

The Italian has acknowledged that he has other options up front including Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud, but insisted that he would stick with his current setup should he feel it necessary.

"If I think it's right for the team to play this way, it's OK," Conte told reporters. "Otherwise I can take another decision and play with a striker. Maybe I can take different decisions. There are three players for two places. One has to go on the bench. Then I have to decide who has to go on the bench.

"For sure, [Giroud] is ready. He has specific characteristics, Olivier. He's a strong player and has a lot of physicality. I think that, in some games, it's right to start with him. In other games, it's right to start with Morata.

"In others, it's right to continue with Hazard as a number nine. Olivier, he played against West Bromwich Albion from the start, and played against Hull City, and then came on in every game, I think. But he's ready to play. But I repeat, I don't like to speak to the press what happens with one player, with two players, with the team."

Chelsea face Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon looking to regain ground on the Premier League's top four.

amp_article__320545 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-03-10 22:42:12:
html db last update - 2021-02-26 05:31:35 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Antonio Conte

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .