Chelsea manager Antonio Conte defended his decision to ‘play three No 10s’ instead of £31million striker Michy Batshuayi after his side failed to break down Everton in the absence of suspended top scorer Alvaro Morata.
Conte left Batshuayi on the bench until 20 minutes from the end of a goalless draw at Goodison Park and had to settle for a point despite watching his side have 26 shots on goal.
‘I think there is nothing to explain,’ snapped Conte, who has started the Belgian international only three times in 18 months in the Premier League.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte defended his decision not to start with an out-and-out striker as his side were held goalless by Everton despite 26 shots at goal
Eden Hazard rues a missed opportunity during Chelsea’s goalless draw at Goodison Park
Willian is closed down by two Everton players on a frustrating afternoon for the Blues
‘Morata was out and I think this player is very important for us so we played with three No. 10s, Willian, Pedro, Hazard, and we created many chances.
‘I have to make the best decision for my team. This is not the first time and I think also today I took the best decision for my team.
‘Don’t forget Michy is coming back from an injury (foot). He played against Bournemouth for 75 minutes. We tried to do our best. It is a pity to drop two points against Everton.’
Chelsea dominated possession and chances against an Everton side who failed to register a shot on target.
Conte only introduced Michy Batshuayi with 20 minutes left as they searched for a goal
Conte rues one of many missed opportunities as Chelsea failed to break Everton down
‘We had many chances to score,’ said Conte. ‘We hit the crossbar and we were unlucky in lots of situations in the box. We forced our opponents to defend. I am very happy with the commitment of my players.’
Chelsea fans will still feel confused about not using Batshuayi, a renowned penalty-area finisher, in a game that their team dominated.
Conte is over-reliant on Morata, who was suspended yesterday after picking up a fifth booking in midweek for over-celebrating a goal against Bournemouth.
He lost Costa, Bertrand Traore and Dominic Solanke in the summer and has seen another striker Tammy Abraham loaned out to Swansea.
England manager Gareth Southgate was at Goodison but Chelsea didn’t have a single Englishman on show with Gary Cahill and Danny Drinkwater confined to the bench.
He saw some nice stuff from Hazard, whom England will face at the World Cup, but being used as a false No9 by Conte didn’t get the best out of the Belgian.