Chelsea boss Antonio Conte reveals long-term concerns over Eden Hazard ankle injury

ANTONIO CONTE says long-term fitness concerns prompted by Eden Hazard’s ankle injury last year are the reason he withdrew the Chelsea winger early against Leicester last Saturday.
Hazard sustained the ankle problem last June while on international duty with Belgium.

And the surgery that followed meant he missed the entirety of pre-season and the first three games of the campaign.

Hazard has shown flashes of his best form this season but is yet to replicate it on a consistent basis.

The 26-year-old was deprived of the chance to inspire Chelsea to victory last weekend when he was subbed in the 58th minute.

Conte has now revealed he was merely seeking to protect Hazard though when he replaced the wideman with Willian.
“We are talking about a player that recently had a bad injury in his ankle, surgery as well,” he said this afternoon.



“When you have this type of situation you have to manage this situation. He missed pre-season with us.

“We are trying to find the best way and it is normal that one player can keep the top of the form.

“My task is to improve him and try to take the best decision for the team for the game, not just him.

“I am the coach, I decide. It is not important if the player is happy, only here there it is this habit. It is not important.

“My first target is to do my best for the player and the team, not keep players happy.”

Next up for Chelsea is tomorrow night’s FA Cup third-round replay showdown with Norwich.

Whether Conte will risk Hazard for the Canaries’ visit to Stamford Bridge remains to be seen.

Source:www.express.co.uk