Troubled Chelsea Not Looking for Excuses - Conte Talks Bakayoko Debut, Criminal Costa & More Ahead of Spurs Clash

 

Tiemoue Bakayoko's Chelsea debut may come sooner than planned with Antonio Conte admitting he may have to risk the midfielder due to a lack of alternative options, as he warned his troubled champions not to look for excuses after their turbulent start to the season.

 

Here is every word the Chelsea boss said on Spurs, Costa, Morata and squad depth during Friday's press conference.

 

 

"You know very well our situation after these two red cards. We are preparing very well for this game and must be focused on the pitch, on the game and try to do our best to not find an excuse. Only focus on the game. It can happen to receive two red cards, they miss the next game but a club like Chelsea must be ready for this situation."

 

 

"I am not worried about this. For sure at this moment it is not simple, not easy, but we must be strong to face this situation. I repeat it is important not to find an excuse or alibi about this moment. It's important to continue to work, everyone give 150 per cent and then we can solve the situation."

 

 

"Hazard is improving, but to be fully fit he needs time we must have patience with him and do the best for him.

 

"About Bakayoko, he is improving very well he is not at the top of physical condition. But i think he can be in contention for the game, because I don't have another midfielder available.

 

"Pedro has trained with us today, he felt pain in his ankle. I don't know if he is available on the bench.

 

"Bakayoko, his situation is not easy at the moment, this situation could force me to make a different decision. At this moment some players don't have 100 per cent of their physical condition. Also Morata is another player to continue to work to improve. We have to face the right solution, I have to face a difficult decision. Bakayoko could be in contention for the game against Tottenham, why not?"

 

 

[Conte laughs a lot] "It's great, it's great. I prefer to laugh. I can tell you that everyone knows at Chelsea what happened with him last season. It is funny this interview."

 

 

"I am not interested in continuing this issue. It is the past. [press officer] The club's position is clear, as a Chelsea player we think he should be back to training."

 

"I think everything is possible, but then I have to think that there is a game, the game has 95 minutes and I must have the possibility to change the game, with different options. At the moment it is very difficult to do this. I have to try to think to bring on the bench the possibility to change the game."

 

 

"I am concerned, but only am I worried when you try to put the players very soon, the risk to have an injury is high. That is my worry. The physical condition might not be 100 per cent but we have to face this situation and in this case we have to take some risks."

 

 

"No, I am not surprised. I knew very well this season would be very difficult for us. Last season we won the league, reached the final of the FA Cup with only 13 regular players.

 

"Also last season we struggled a lot, we worked very well, we were lucky to not have injuries, this season we have lost two players, now we have to try to continue to work with this basis.

 

"There wasn't this basis, now the most important thing for me the club knows this. I was very clear with the club. We are ready to fight with all our strength to face this difficult situation, don't find excuse or alibi. We must work, work, work to have a good present and I hope a good future."

 

 

"In the past he played in the midfield, in the past honestly I prefer him to play central defence. We are trying to find a different solution that will work. David is a player available to play in different positions, it is a pleasure to have this sort of player. Imagine if you had a player who told you no, no I only want to play in this role."

Reassure fans to find the right solution?

"I can tell the only thing that we are working very hard to try to do the best for the club. Football is not good to try to create the illusion. The only words thought that I can tell our fans is that we are working very hard for the players to have a good season. You know very well there are situations that you can't control."