London: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has the club’s long-term interests in mind with his cautious approach towards selecting Eden Hazard as they prepare for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.
After making his first start of the season in the League Cup last week, the Belgium international was again named as a substitute for Chelsea’s 4-0 Premier League win over Stoke City, Saturday as he continues to recover from a fractured ankle.
“I think now Eden is improving a lot and for sure he’s in contention for Atletico Madrid,” Conte told reporters here Monday. “After a bad injury and surgery you need time. He’s almost ready to play but if I make this decision it will be because I’m comfortable with it.
“I think we are managing him very well. Other players are also very important for us and now it’s important to be sure he’s ready,” added the Italian.
Conte praised new signing Alvaro Morata for adapting well to the physical demands of the Premier League after the Spaniard scored his first Chelsea hat-trick at Stoke.
Morata arrived from Real Madrid at the start of the season in search of regular first team action and has netted six league goals in six appearances.
“Don’t forget his previous experience – he didn’t play a lot with Juventus and Real Madrid but now he has a great chance to show that he is a really good striker, a fantastic striker,” Conte said.
“He’s very young, only 24 years, and I think this is important for Chelsea. I think now he’s involved totally in our style of football, in our idea. He’s very strong and he showed he’s a really good, complete player,” added Conte.
In their first Champions League game Chelsea had thrashed Qarabag 6-0.
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