Conte: Chelsea could play with two up front

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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says he could decide to play Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud up front together in the future.

Conte has tended to play with one striker, with the recent signing of Giroud from Arsenal providing the Blues with another attacking option.

And Conte believes it could lead to Chelsea playing with two strikers.

“I think in the future, yes, it could happen. It could happen if we decide to play with three midfielders,” Conte said during a press conference on Thursday.

“During the game it can happen, but now I think it’s very soon to answer this question.”

Conte’s options have been limited at times and on occasions he has deployed Eden Hazard as a central striker.

But the signing of Giroud and the recent return of Morata from a back injury means Chelsea potentially have more firepower.

“Alvaro now is training with us regularly, every day. His physical condition is improving,” Conte said.

“It’s very important to have all your players available and in this case to have two number nines, Morata and Giroud, to have two options, is very important for us.

“Don’t forget that for a lot of the time we have had to try to play Hazard as a number nine.

“I think Alvaro is a player with a good responsibility and a good maturity and I think the competition is good – good for team – and a great team must have competition in every position.

“For sure for us Giroud is a good option. He is very strong, a powerful player, and he can help us for the rest of the season.”