Conte: Batshuayi does have a Chelsea future

Many would see Antonio Conte’s decision to play Eden Hazard against Bournemouth as the final nail in Michy Batshuayi’s coffin at Chelsea, but the Italian insists the young striker still has a big role to play at Stamford Bridge.

With top scorer Diego Costa suspended for the Boxing Day clash against the Cherries, Chelsea fans may have been expecting to see 23-year-old Batshuayi get a longer opportunity to impress.

But in-form midfielder Eden Hazard was preferred up front, with Pedro and Willian behind him, and that proved a winning solution for the Blues as Pedro struck twice and Hazard won a penalty which he finished off himself in the 3-0 triumph.

Batshuayi instead was limited to under a minute of action off the bench, coming on in stoppage time, but Conte is adamant that the Belgian international has a promising future at the club – once he adjusts to the demands of the Premier League.

“Michy Batshuayi is a really good player but he’s a young player and he is trying to adapt to this league,” he said.

“I try to make the best decision for the team but I am sure Michy will have the possibility to play in the future.

“I wanted to give him the opportunity to play and have another appearance and it happened at the end.

“We have to continue to work with him every day to try together to improve him, and to bring him to the best condition to help us in this league. We need him.

“I won’t let him go on loan. He’s a new player for Chelsea and to go on loan now is a defeat for the club and for me. Every decision I make is because I want to win.”