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Chelsea News: Antonio Conte gives updates on transfer plans and Eden Hazard's return
ANTONIO CONTE insisted he was happy if the club signed new players; he was also happy if they didn’t. Well he might try telling his face that.
Chelsea's Eden Hazard makes scoring look easy in training
Instead, he wore an expression like thunder all the time he was trotting out the corporate message during his press conference.
“For sure, the club is trying to strengthen our squad and our team. Also, if we continue to stay with these players, I'm very happy. Very happy.”
The only smile came right at the end though when with wry grin a question about the possibility of Kenedy going allowed him the chance for one final underhand barb.
“We are in the transfer market to try and improve our squad,” he said pointedly. “If we are in the transfer market it means we need players. Not to sell or something different.”
Chelsea News: Antonio Conte insists the club are working on transfers
Hazard is improving and, in the afternoon today, he's playing with the U23s against Everton
His mood had not been helped, to be fair, by news from Brussels in the moments building up to his usual media engagements.
Roberto Martinez had called up Eden Hazard for Belgium international duty next week despite him being ruled out of the visit of Everton with an under-23 game planned for this afternoon aimed at easing him back towards match fitness.
“Hazard is improving and, in the afternoon today, he's playing with the U23s against Everton,” Conte said. “But he's not fully fit.
“I knew the news [ of his call up] just 20 minutes ago. For sure, I'm a bit surprised about this decision.
Eden Hazard will play for Chelsea's Under 23s this evening
“If Hazard is ready, why doesn't he play with us? Why is he playing this afternoon with the U23s to continue to try and improve his form?
“I see him every day, I see him every day, and I repeat: in this situation, it's very important to give the right time to players to recover very well. Hazard is an important player for us. If someone thinks they can accelerate the process... I think it's not the right way.
“It's a great mistake. At this moment, I think we must pay great attention towards not making mistakes.”
And on Costa?
His lips were sealed. Tersely. No upturn at the corner whatsoever.
Right now, Conte does not seem a happy at all.
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