CHELSEA looked chipper as they prepared for a return to Champions League action.
Eden Hazard and Co were enjoying themselves as they stepped onto Blues’ Cobham training pitches on Monday. Antonio Conte will expect them to cruise to victory when they face Azerbaijani minnow Qarabag at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
But the Blues boss may choose to rest some stars after moaning about his gruelling run of games after Saturday’s 2-1 win at Leicester.
Conte says he will need to rotate his squad but Blues fans will NOT get a first glimpse of new signing Danny Drinkwater after the midfielder picked up a calf injury.
Conte has comfirmed that Hazard will not be risked and will start on the bench.
Chelsea boss Conte said: “He can recover really well and then prepare for the game against Qarabag. N’Golo is a very important player for us.
“Before a lot of people told me ‘yes, without the ball he has good stamina and is a good worker’. But now with the ball he has improved a lot. “I am happy for this because we are working a lot with him. Now I think he is a top player.
“It was an amazing performance from him. He scored but overall he made a lot of good runs. “I don’t know if he is world class or not. But N’Golo is a really good player.
“To be be the best player in the Premier League last season is a great thing. And this season he is confirming it.” Kante outshone new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko in the win at the King Power.
But Conte is backing the Frenchman to hit his straps as the season wears on.
The Italian added: “Don’t forget that Baka is only 22, younger than N’Golo.
“He is very strong without the ball and now he can improve a lot with the ball in the same way N’Golo has.
“Every player can improve. You must have the will to work and improve. Until the end of your career you can always improve.”
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