Matic calls on Chelsea squad to step up over Christmas period

Christmas is a time for family, for spreading love to the ones you know best, and although Chelsea face the prospect of training on Christmas Day, Nemanja Matic says they will have to get into the festive sharing spirit to succeed.

With N’Golo Kante and Diego Costa suspended for the visit of Bournemouth on Boxing Day, a packed Christmas schedule will be the time for Antonio Conte to make the most of his full squad.

But 28-year-old Matic insists Chelsea, even missing two key players, are no worse off than any other Premier League side.

“We have to cope with that, you have situations like this during the season, but other teams also have their problems,” said the midfielder.

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“Of course, they are both important players for us but the next game we play is at home and we have to do our best to get three points.

“Everyone is important in football because you never know who is going to play the next game. I’m happy because in training you can see every player is physically ready.

“We won’t have Diego against Bournemouth but I hope Michy [Batshuayi] will be the man to decide the game.

“If he does that it will be good for us. He is a great striker, for sure, that is why Chelsea bought him. I’m sure if he gets a chance to score in the next game, he’ll take it.”