Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has explained why he substituted Diego Costa during his side’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace due to concerns over a small injury to the striker, who scored the winning goal at Selhurst Park.
“Diego felt a bit – not a muscular problem – but his [thigh] was tight,” said Conte at his press conference following the victory. “Very tight. Don’t forget that this game was his third game in seven games and Diego played all the games with great quality, great drive and great intensity. It’s nothing important but now he has more days to rest compared to his teammates!”
Costa have been involved in 18 goals in the Premier League this season, scoring 13 times and making five assists in 17 appearances. This combined tally meant that by the time of the final whistle against Palace, he had a direct hand in more goals than other player across Europe’s top five leagues this season.
However, despite his automatic ban for his fifth booking of the campaign, Conte was disappointed that his leading goalscorer’s run of games would be disrupted.
“It’s a pity because he is in a good moment of form,” said the Italian. “He didn’t deserve the yellow card today but I guess with Bournemouth in [nine] days I have to find a different solution.
“For me, this can be an opportunity for a new solution and idea but if we ask me, I am disappointed to lose him and [N’Golo] Kante.”
Kante also collected his fifth yellow card of the season against Palace and will also be forced to sit out against Bournemouth. Both the France international and Costa are key players for Chelsea and two of the hardest working members of Conte’s team, in midfield and attack, respectively.
Michy Batshuayi looks set to replace the Spain international up front against the Cherries while the Blues have a number of options available to them in order to cover for Kante with Cesc Fabregas and Nathaniel Chalobah offering two different alternatives for the Italian to choose between.
The hole left by the former Leicester City midfielder will not be easy to fill however. No players across Europe’s top five leagues has made more tackles or interceptions since the start of last season.
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