Conte not surprised by Morata’s solid start at Chelsea

Atletico struggled to get into Chelsea’s half but capitalised from their first real foray forward.

Manchester City and Chelsea have had an extremely evenly matched rivalry against each other in recent years, both going 10-10-3 against the other in the last 23 matches in this head-to-head series.

Bakayoko has featured in five league games so far this season, returning an excellent 85% passing accuracy and winning 54% of his duels.

“It’s a muscular problem”, Conte said.

“If God gives you this talent, you must exploit this talent”. Those games should stand him in good stead this weekend.

He said: “It’s another big match, another big Premier League match”.

Conte, though, allayed any injury fears over the Spaniard in his press conference, stating that Danny Drinkwater is the only injured player who will miss out on the chance to face Pep Guardiola’s side.

Hazard’s current contract, which expires in 2020, was signed in February 2015.

Describing his rival’s side, he said: “United play long ball, second ball up to Fellaini, Pogba, when they have the quality to play”.

He acknowledges Hazard’s killer instinct can get better, but he wants the Belgian to continue to put the team first.

One, two, three, four… It’s the same for Messi.

Morata scored 20 goals in 43 games at Real Madrid last season, but the striker failed to make a lasting impression at the Spanish giants.

“When I see that my players give everything, we must be pleased despite the bad result”. The players are not kids, they are men who have a family. I like this behaviour, his attitude.

Compared to the Chelsea’s lineup when the club defeated Atletico Madrid, Chelsea made two changes to players.

City were dominating possession but needed a courageous headed clearance from Nicolas Otamendi in the 26th minute as Antonio Rudiger’s cross threatened the near post, and Ederson scrambled to deny Azpilicueta on the follow-up.

Chelsea dropped their first home points by losing to Burnley on the opening day of the season, before drawing against Arsenal on September 17. He is healthy. Accidents happen, City manager Pep Guardiola was quoted as saying. “Eddie Newton and Paulo Ferreira did a great job with me”.

“I think our start wasn’t so, so easy”.

City have to make do without top scorer Sergio Aguero, who suffered a fractured rib in a auto crash on Thursday night and giving Jesus company in attack are young wingers Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.