Chelsea boss Antonio Conte all but confirms Michy Batshuayi will NOT replace suspended Diego Costa for Bournemouth clash
Blues chief says the team 'must be patient with him' as they look to integrate the Belgian striker into the first-team in the future
ANTONIO CONTE has all but confirmed Michy Batshuayi will not replace Diego Costa in the starting line-up for the Boxing Day clash with Bournemouth, saying: We must be patient with him.
The Chelsea boss, 47, was quizzed on Thursday who would replace suspended duo of Costa and N'Golo Kante, with the Italian dodging the question as far as possible.
Despite Batshuayi being the only other recognised striker at Stamford Bridge, Conte said: "I have four days to evaluate the situation and find the best solution.
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"We have different solutions to replace Costa and Kante.
"This is a good test for us because we play this game without two very important players for our team.
"I spoke about Michy in the post game [after beating Crystal Palace], and I said that it’s not easy to arrive in this league, to play in this league if you are a young player.
"You are arriving in a new country, it’s difficult, especially for a young player to adapt because this league is very tough. This league is very physical, very strong.
"Michy is working very well. We must be patient with him. The next step for him is to play more this season.
"But I repeat, it’s not easy to adapt to this league, to arrive and to play.";
So far, the Belgian forward has netted just three times in 13 appearances for Chelsea, with no goals since his EFL Cup brace against Bristol Rovers.
Batshuayi is still yet to start a game for the Blues, with Costa in scintillating form this term and the former Marseille man struggling to adapt to life in England.