Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says Michy Batshuayi is still trying to adapt to the demands of English football.
The Belgian striker has hardly featured since his big-money move to Stamford Bridge from Marseille in the summer.
That has partly been because of the form of Diego Costa, who has played a key role in the side’s rise to the top of the table.
Batshuayi could now get a chance to impress as Costa’s yellow card in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace means the Spain forward must now serve a one-game ban and will be unavailable for the Boxing Day match against Bournemouth.
But Blues boss Conte has admitted that Batshuayi has found it hard to adjust to the Premier League.
Speaking at his post-match press conference after the victory against Palace, Conte said: “It’s a pity for Diego because he’s in good form. Against Bournemouth, we’ll have to find a different situation.
“This can be an opportunity to see other solutions, other ideas. With Batshuayi, it’s not easy to arrive and to adapt to this league. The football is very tough and very physical.
“I think Michy has great quality. He’s very young and it’ s important for him to work to improve.”