DIEGO COSTA
Antonio Conte has confirmed Diego Costa and Eden Hazard will
be fit to start at Middlesbrough as Chelsea attempt to extend their winning
run.
Conte's team has won six in a row
making only one change to the team as they moved to within a point of Premier League leaders
Liverpool.
Hazard and Costa were both hurt
playing for their countries last week but have recovered quickly since their
return to London.
'All the players are available,'
said Conte. 'They are in good form. Costa had a bit of an injury and started to
train on Wednesday. His physical condition is good. He can play. Eden only had
a tackle, and he recovered very well.
'I am always worried when I see
there is a probability that one player is not able to play. You are a bit
worried but it's important to play for the national team. So far we were lucky.
Not one player came back injured.'
Chelsea hot form and settled
formation have raised questions about those not in the team but the Italian
claimed they would all have a role to play, including out-of-favour midfielders
Oscar and Cesc Fabregas.
'Oscar's future is Chelsea, full stop,' said Conte. 'He's an
important player in the squad and he's in good form. He is a great player and for
me he will stay in Chelsea and it's important to give this message. For Cesc,
it's the same. We have a complete squad.
'John Terry is in good shape and
also he can play in this formation, easily. I am happy to have the availability
of the central defenders.'
Kurt Zouma is back after a serious
knee injury but will continue to play in the Under-23 side for the time being.
Conte added: 'It's important Kurt is
with us and the training sessions he's in good form but after a big injury it's
normal to need a bit of time to recover the best form.
'For this reason we prefer Kurt to play for the U23 team on
Monday. It's important to have game time in this period. It's good, it's
fantastic to have another good player available.'
Conte also reserved praise for
Hazard, after the Belgian received the Player of the Month award for
October.
'I'm pleased for him because
he's playing fantastic football. He's working very well during training and
showing great attitude and commitment. He's a great player and he's working a
lot for the team. When a player of this talent puts it into the team. It's very
good.'
Conte was reluctant to compare him
to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and instead underlined his
belief that Hazard can continue improving.
'Yeah but I think we have to
go step by step,' Conte said. 'It is important Eden is showing his talent and
is playing very well.
'It's not right to compare him with
the others. He has all the potential to do great things in his career. Now it
is important that he is putting himself in the team.
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