- Antonio Conte has said that Eden Hazard is in contention to start on Wednesday
- Chelsea visit Atletico Madrid in matchweek two of Champions League Group C
- Hazard has only started one Blues game so far this season – in the Carabao Cup
- But Conte has said the Belgian, who broke his ankle in June, ‘is improving a lot’
- Nevertheless, Conte will be cautious and has insisted Hazard will not be rushed
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has the club’s long-term interests in mind with his cautious approach towards selecting Eden Hazard as they prepare for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid.
After making his first start of the season in the Carabao Cup last week, the Belgium international was again named as a substitute for Chelsea’s 4-0 Premier League win over Stoke City on Saturday as he continues to recover from a fractured ankle.
‘I think now Eden is improving a lot and for sure he’s in contention for Atletico Madrid,’ Conte told reporters.
Antonio Conte is considering unleashing Eden Hazard against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday
Four of Hazard’s five Chelsea appearances so far this season have been as a substitute
Chelsea have been patient with Hazard, who broke his ankle in June, and will continue to be so
Blues manager Conte explained: ‘After a bad injury and surgery you need time’
‘After a bad injury and surgery you need time. He’s almost ready to play but if I make this decision it will be because I’m comfortable with it,’ the Italian added.
‘I think we are managing him very well. Other players are also very important for us and now it’s important to be sure he’s ready.’
Conte praised new signing Alvaro Morata for adapting well to the physical demands of the Premier League after the Spaniard scored his first Chelsea hat-trick at Stoke.
Morata arrived from Real Madrid at the start of the season in search of regular first-team action and has netted six league goals in six appearances.
‘Alvaro didn’t play a lot with Juventus and Real Madrid but now he has a great chance to show that he is a really good striker, a fantastic striker,’ Conte said.
‘He’s very young, only 24 years, and I think this is important for Chelsea. I think now he’s involved totally in our style of football, in our idea. He’s very strong and he showed he’s a really good, complete player.’
Chelsea visit Atletico following a 6-0 victory over Qarabag in their Champions League Group C opener.
‘He’s almost ready to play but if I make this decision it will be because I’m comfortable with it’
Belgian playmaker Hazard has impressed when he has got on the pitch for Chelsea this season
He ran rings around Nottingham Forest in his one and only start – a 5-1 win in the Carabao Cup