Tottenham vs Chelsea: Tiemoue Bakayoko could make full debut despite being unfit as Blues face midfield crisis
Antonio Conte admits he could be forced to take a huge gamble with new signing ahead of crunch Wembley clash
ANTONIO CONTE admits he may be forced to gamble with Tiemoue Bakayoko’s fitness and hand the £40million signing his Chelsea debut against Spurs this Sunday.
The champions head to Wembley on the back of a disastrous opening day defeat to Burnley.
But despite welcoming Victor Moses back from suspension, Chelsea will now have to make do without captain Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas after they were both sent off last weekend.
Pedro remains injured with an ankle injury while Eden Hazard is slowly working his way back to full fitness.
And with a crisis in midfield now clear for all to see, Conte concedes he may have to call upon new man Bakayoko to partner N’Golo Kante this weekend at Tottenham.
The former Monaco man is yet to play a minute for the Blues after undergoing knee surgery at the end of the last campaign.
But after featuring in a behind-closed-doors win over QPR, Bakayoko could now be in line to make his full Chelsea bow at the home of English football.
Conte said: “Hazard is improving, but to be fully fit we must have patience and do the best for him.
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“About Bakayoko, he is improving very well. He is not at the top of his physical condition. But I think he can be in contention for the game, because I don’t have another midfielder.
“Pedro has trained with us today. He had pain in his ankle. I don’t know if he is available for the bench.
“Bakayoko, his situation is not easy at the moment. It could force me to make a difficult decision. At this moment some players don’t have 100 per cent fitness.
“Also Morata is another player to continue to work. We have to find the right solution. I have to face a difficult situation. Bakayoko could be in contention, why not?
“I am concerned, but only I am worried when you try to put the players out very soon, the risk to have an injury is very high.
“That is my worry. The physical condition might not be 100 per cent and we have to take some risks.”
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