London Football News

Conte says playing with two strikers is an option

Embed from Getty Images

Antonio Conte says playing both Michy Batshuayi and new signing Alvaro Morata up front is a viable option for Chelsea.

The Blues boss, who has favoured playing with one out and out striker, recently brought in Morata in a club record £60m deal.

Conte has also been given food for thought by the form of Batshuayi towards the end of last term and during pre-season.

And Chelsea’s attacking options are currently limited, with Eden Hazard out with an ankle problem and Pedro recovering from a facial injury suffered in a recent friendly against Arsenal.

Embed from Getty Images

It means pairing Morata and Batshuayi is now something Conte is seriously considering for the start of the season.

“In this moment this could be a possibility because when you have Hazard and Pedro injured I tried this. I don’t see other options,” Conte said at a press conference ahead of this weekend’s Community Shield match against Arsenal.

“You only have Willian and for this reason I try to find these combinations. This could be an option for me.

“But for sure Alvaro I want to play him like a number a nine but, with his characteristics, he could play like a number 10.”

Conte added: “Alvaro is working very well and is trying to reach the best physical condition. He is working to go into our idea of football.

“He needed a bit of time to be ready to do this but is working very well.”




Skip to toolbar