Antonio Conte has confirmed that both Thibaut Courtois and Pedro could return for Sunday’s London derby with West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
The duo were absent from last weekend’s home defeat to Tottenham but could be in contention to feature on Sunday, with the game against the Hammers kicking off at 4.30pm, and the boss has said he will monitor the pair over the next couple of days.
However, the Italian has confirmed that David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu are both ruled out of the weekend clash through injury.
‘At the moment we have two players out, Luiz and Ampadu,’ Antonio confirmed at his pre-match press conference. ‘Pedro and Courtois could be back [in contention] though.
‘We have two days to check the physical condition of the players, so we will see then. But we have Luiz and Ampadu out, certainly, but Pedro and Courtois we will look at.’
We have a good record against the Hammers at Stamford Bridge, winning nine of our last 12 home meetings with our London rivals.
However David Moyes’ side did defeat us at the London Stadium earlier this season and will be hoping to inflict a second consecutive home loss on us, following Tottenham’s victory at the Bridge in our game previous.
Conte has conceded that the defeat to Spurs was a bad result for us and has called on his players to fight until the end of the season to try and claim a place in next season’s Champions League.
‘For sure we have to be realistic and Sunday was a bad defeat for us,’ said the boss. ‘We had the opportunity to reduce the gap on Tottenham but at the same time, we have to try and continue to have the possibility to fight for a place in the Champions League.
‘It won’t be easy and we must be realistic, but at the same time we have to give 100 per cent and show pride, desire and will to fight until the end of the season. This must be our target for the rest of the season now.
‘West Ham have been playing some good football recently and have had some good results. They are trying to get away from the relegation zone and will want to win, but we also want the three points.
'It’s a London derby and it’s a big game. We want to have the opportunity to fight for a place in the Champions League, by finishing in the top four.
‘I think everyone has to show pride, desire and a will to fight until the end of the season. This is very important for me, my staff and for my players to show this. Also, our supporters deserve at least this.’
However David Moyes’ side did defeat us at the London Stadium earlier this season and will be hoping to inflict a second consecutive home loss on us, following Tottenham’s victory at the Bridge in our game previous.
Conte has conceded that the defeat to Spurs was a bad result for us and has called on his players to fight until the end of the season to try and claim a place in next season’s Champions League.
‘For sure we have to be realistic and Sunday was a bad defeat for us,’ said the boss. ‘We had the opportunity to reduce the gap on Tottenham but at the same time, we have to try and continue to have the possibility to fight for a place in the Champions League.
‘It won’t be easy and we must be realistic, but at the same time we have to give 100 per cent and show pride, desire and will to fight until the end of the season. This must be our target for the rest of the season now.
‘West Ham have been playing some good football recently and have had some good results. They are trying to get away from the relegation zone and will want to win, but we also want the three points.
'It’s a London derby and it’s a big game. We want to have the opportunity to fight for a place in the Champions League, by finishing in the top four.
‘I think everyone has to show pride, desire and a will to fight until the end of the season. This is very important for me, my staff and for my players to show this. Also, our supporters deserve at least this.’
Reviewed by Unknown
on
April 06, 2018
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