ANTONIO CONTE says Chelsea and Alvaro Morata must learn from his costly booking – and admits there may be business done in the January transfer window.
Conte feels it is “a pity” if referee Lee Mason showed Morata a yellow card just for celebrating his stoppage-tie Carabao Cup winner against Bournemouth by putting the ball up his shirt – a tribute to the fact his wife is expecting a baby.
But the Chelsea striker also kicked the ball away, delaying the restart, and his fifth caution of the season has ruled him out of tomorrow’s trip to Everton.
Chelsea boss Conte said: “I must be honest, in that moment we were enjoying the goal and I didn't see the situation. But I knew that he tried to celebrate a goal with the ball under the shirt.
“He's very happy because his wife is expecting a kid. If the referee booked him only because he put a ball under his shirt, I think it's a pity.
“You can allow this because these are celebrations and you are showing your joy. You have to see because then, if something different happened after this, the referee judged it in a different way. “It’s a big loss for us, but it happened. We have to accept the decision and try, at the same time in the future, to pay great attention.”
But Conte insists he and his players must ignore all the transfer gossip surrounding the club – Manchester United’s alleged interest in signing Eden Hazard for £90m, and possible moves for David Luiz and Kenedy to Arsenal and Newcastle respectively. Conte said: “A difficult period is starting, especially for every club, for every coach. Some rumours are true. Some rumours are wrong.
“We must be ready to face them while, at the same time, be ready to be focused and go game by game. We play every three days, so it's not right that these rumours disturb us.” Reflecting on Chelsea’s possible business, Conte added: “I prefer to talk with the club and try to find the best solution together.
“If there is a possibility to improve the squad in a numerical aspect I think it would be a good choice, but I’m enjoying working with these players.”
The visit to Goodison will be the start of the busy festive period and Conte expects a tough game against an Everton side reborn under new boss Sam Allardyce. The Chelsea boss said: “This match is very important for us, the last game before Christmas. I'd like to spend a good Christmas with a good game, a good win.
“It would be very important to get three points, but we know very well that, in the last five games, Everton won four games.
“They are in a good moment of form. They changed the coach and are having good results. For this reason, we must pay great attention.”
From The Sun
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