Chelsea news LIVE updates: Conte on Sergio Aguero car crash, Morata hits out at Zidane

CHELSEA recorded a famous win against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League - Express Sport brings you all the reaction and latest news from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea striker Alvaro MorataGETTY

Alvaro Morata is very happy with life at Chelsea

Chelsea news LIVE: All the latest updates from Stamford Bridge

Friday September 29

Ince’s prediction

14:55: Paul Ince reckons Chelsea’s match with Manchester City will finish 2-2.

Chelsea v Manchester City: 2-2 (Paddy Power odds: 10/1)

“Oh yes! The game of the week. The game of the season so far, actually,” he told Express Sport.

“I’ve been trying to pick a winner in this one, and I just can’t. 

“I think they’re more evenly matched than people are making out, and Chelsea won both their games against City last season. 

“So I think a high-scoring draw is a fair shout in this one.”

Bridge on Chelsea

13:34: Wayne Bridge has had his say on Chelsea’s start to their Premier League title defence.

“Morata has obvious quality – he’s quick, he’s running in behind and scoring goals with his head and his feet,” Bridge told The Sun.

“He’s a totally different player in terms of what Chelsea are used to, with the likes of Didier Drogba and Costa who are big and strong and bullied defenders. With the likes of Fabregas who can slip him in, with the runs that he makes he’s going to get chances.

“I really like him but I expect them to probably sign another centre-forward in January. Not to replace Morata but someone either to work with him or they can change. Someone physically a bit stronger and who wants to bully defenders.”

Conte praises Hazard

12:05: Antonio Conte loves Eden Hazard’s ability to be decisive in matches for Chelsea.

When asked whether Hazard should be more ruthless in games, Conte said: "Yeah but Eden, in every game, finds a way to be decisive during a game.

"I love this from him. I ask this of him. If God gives you this talent, you must exploit this talent.

"My task is sometimes to try and push him to be decisive in every moment, in every game.

"Eden for sure is a top player. I think in this season he has a big opportunity. Because, this season we play in the Champions League. 

Eden HazardGETTY

Eden Hazard is still looking for his first Chelsea goal this season

Chelsea's chance to shine

10:00: Martin Keown reckons Chelsea can show everyone just how good they are with a victory over Manchester City this afternoon (5.30pm).

“Saturday's match is the perfect chance for Chelsea to show how good they are,” Keown told the Daily Mail.

“It is the biggest test of the season so far for Manchester City's creative geniuses Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.

“Their passing is so good but Chelsea could try to suffocate them.

“I would not be surprised if Guardiola has had City training on smaller pitches to help their movement.

“However, truly great players give themselves time on the ball in any situation.”

Conte key to Hazard stay

07:45: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte needs to make Eden Hazard the star man at Stamford Bridge to avoid losing him to Real Madrid, says former player Graeme Le Saux.

When asked whether Chelsea can keep Hazard away from Real Madrid, Betfair ambassador Le Saux said: “I think you just have to resign yourself as a club that there’ll always be suitors out there.

“Especially when you have players playing at the highest level.

“You can never be so presumptuous that you think players will stay at a club for a long period of time as it’s only natural for them to feel like they want to try something new.

“Chelsea will need to make sure Hazard is in the spotlight and, as he’s still young, they have a real opportunity to do so.”

Hazard to Spain

20:45: Chelsea could soon have a Philippe Coutinho situation on their hands with Eden Hazard, according to Steven Gerrard.

Coutinho was pushing for a move to Barcelona in the summer and Gerrard believes Hazard may start pushing for a big move to Spain come the summer.

“I think performances like that in this competition, if you keep producing them on a regular basis, I mean Frank [Lampard] won’t thank me for this or the Chelsea fans, but the likes of your Real Madrids and Barcelonas come knocking,” he said.

“Liverpool have got a similar problem with (Philippe) Coutinho. It’s performances like that when the real big hitters come.”

Conte on Aguero car crash

14:00: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has given his thoughts on Sergio Aguero’s car crash.

When asked if Aguero’s injury changes his preparations for Chelsea’s meeting with Manchester City tomorrow (5.30pm), Conte said: “No, first of all I am sorry for this situation. 

“I hope his feeling is good, but when you have this accident it might not do. I hope he is well.

And asked if he was surprised he was in Amsterdam, Conte added: “It was a day off.

“I prefer to talk about my players and not other players or clubs. It is a lack of respect to judge or give evaluations.”

Conte on Luiz

13:37: Antonio Conte insists David Luiz does not have a disci spine problem after his mistake led to a goal for Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Luiz returns to Chelsea’s first team for the game against Manchester City tomorrow after seeing out his suspension from the red card picked up against Arsenal.

“I think he is not used to taking red cards, he is a good player and put always the great discipline on the pitch. I understand sometimes this situation can happen. One time is okay, then it is enough,” Conte said. 

Alonso exile

11:43: Spain manager Julian Lopetegui has explained why he left Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso out of his squad for the upcoming international break.

Alonso has enjoyed a strong start to the season at Chelsea but his performances have not been enough for the Spain boss.

“We have chosen nacho Monreal and Jordi Alba for the full-back positions,” Lopetegui said.

“We made a decision based on the alternatives we have.”

Was it a big move for me to become the first-choice striker? It's the most important thing

Alvaro Morata

Guardiola to talk Aguero

10:25: Pep Guardiola will address questions about Sergio Aguero at his press conference at 1.30pm today.

The Manchester City manager will be asked about Aguero’s car crash, with the big question why Aguero was allowed time off to go to Holland just two days before a crunch Premier League game with Chelsea.

Manchester City’s statement has not ruled the striker out of the Blues game, although it seems highly unlikely he will feature given he has suffered suspected broken ribs.

City said: “Sergio Aguero will be assessed by Club doctors today after being involved in a road accident on Thursday.

“The City forward was in Holland on his day off and has sustained injuries.

“He will return to Manchester this morning and his status will be checked ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash at Chelsea.

“Mancity.com will bring you all the latest on Sergio as we get more news.”

Aguero car crash

08:05: Sergio Aguero will almost certainly miss Manchester City’s trip to Chelsea.

Chelsea host City at Stamford Bridge tomorrow (5.30pm) in a top-of-the-table clash.

But Pep Guardiola’s side are set to be without Aguero after he was involved in a car crash in Holland overnight.

Early reports say Aguero could be out for up to two months after suffering suspected broken ribs.

Morata on Hazard

06:10: Alvaro Morata believes Eden Hazard is one of the best three players in the world, and feeding off the brilliant Belgian to score goals for Chelsea should be “easy”.

The Spaniard’s superb link-up play with Hazard was the key to Chelsea’s remarkable 2-1 Champions League win at Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, with Morata scoring the crucial equaliser with his seventh goal in seven games.

The pair were clearly on the same wavelength from the start, and Morata said: “It’s not difficult playing with this kind of player. Eden is one of the three best players in the world. It’s easy for me playing with him.”

Chelsea, Express Sport understands, are hoping to begin talks with Hazard soon over a new £300,000-a-week deal, with the Belgian in no hurry to move despite Real Madrid’s constant overtures.

Juventus defender SandroGETTY

Chelsea tried to sign Sandro over the summer

Paul Merson prediction for Chelsea v Man City

05:40: Paul Merson can’t separate Chelsea and Manchester City and is plumping for a draw.

City meanwhile, recorded a 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Pep Guardiola’s men have set the pace in the Premier League, winning five of their six games and hitting 21 goals.

But Merson can only see it being a draw at Stamford Bridge tomorrow (5.30pm).

“I cannot separate these two sides so I'm going for a 1-1 draw,” Merson told Sky Sports.

“It should be a great game. Chelsea's win over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday was one of the best performances I've seen away from home in Europe for a long time.”

Loftus-Cheek mistake

05:10 Antonio Conte was probably wrong in letting Ruben Loftus-Cheek leave, according to Danny Murphy.

Loftus-Cheek joined Crystal Palace on a season-long loan over the summer.

The 21-year-old found it hard to nail down a first-team spot at the Blues last term, but has began his loan spell at Selhurst Park well despite the Eagles being bottom of the table.

And Murphy thinks squad balance is essential and reckons it wasn’t wise on Conte to dispense with Loftus-Cheek.

“With Loftus-Cheek, I have seen him a few times this season and I really like him, and maybe he was desperate to go and play I’m not sure.

“I think if Conte kept him, he wouldn’t be knocking on his door not playing every game.”

Morata swipe at Zidane

04:40: Alvaro Morata has suggested Zinedine Zidane didn’t believe in him at Real Madrid - and that’s why he wanted to join Chelsea.

Morata was re-signed by Real Madrid from Juventus last year but he struggled to break into Zidane’s starting line-up with Karim Benzema the preferred option.

And the Spain international has thanked Conte for showing faith in him to be Chelsea’s main man.

“I came to Chelsea because one club and one coach believed in me,” Morata said. 

“Now I have all of these things and I'm very happy.

"Was it a big move for me to become the first-choice striker? It's the most important thing. 

Sandro blow

04:10: Chelsea’s transfer plans have reportedly taken a huge blow as long-term target Alex Sandro looks set to extend his contract at Juventus.

Antonio Conte had made the Brazilian wingback his prime target in the summer.

A number of bids were made but the Italian champions knocked back every offer.

Italian publication Corriere Dello Sport reported that Sandro and his agent are on the verge of a new deal to keep him at the club until June 2022 on a £4.38 million (€5 million) salary.

It will come as a huge blow to Chelsea boss Conte who had plans to make a fresh approach in January for defender.

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