Antonio Conte has a full strength squad to choose from as he prepares his side for an in-form Burnley side at Turf Moor, and the Italian addressed the possibility of rotating key players in attacking positions.
Antonio Conte has no new injury concerns in his squad going into this tie and will have a full strength squad available to travel with him to Lancashire. However, he did reveal in his pre-match press conference that defender David Luiz was playing with an injury.
“He’s available, his fitness is good but he’s playing with a little pain in his knee. He’s a warrior and he’s playing very well, I’m pleased for him,”the Italian said. “He’s showing me a great attitude and a will to continue to fight despite the fact that sometimes he has a bit of pain.”
Despite this pain in his knee, it is highly improbable that the Brazilian will be left out of the squad. John Terry, Kurt Zouma, Nathan Ake are all fit, available and can all play at center-back but it is unlikely that Conte will leave anything to chance when he comes up against Sean Dyche’s side.
Cesc Fabregas may be in line for a start against the Clarets today, after making an impact coming off the bench against Arsenal last week. The Spaniard was widely expected to start, given Arsenal’s problems in midfield, but Conte instead chose to go with Matic and the decision paid off.
Willian, who has finally begun finding his stride after a slow start to the season, has had to battle with Pedro, who is back to his best under Antonio Conte, for a place in the starting XI this term. He started from the bench against Arsenal and was unable to make an impact as a late substitute.
Antonio Conte addressed the possibility of both of these players starting more often this season, insisting that the most important thing was to see every player in good form and have a good attitude, whether they start on the pitch or the bench.
“For sure there is this possibility because we are talking about two great players who are in great form,”he said. “To have Cesc and Willian on the bench or on the pitch is very important. Pedro is also playing very well, he’s in great form. When Cesc plays he’s doing very well.”
Antonio Conte has a full strength squad to choose from as he prepares his side for an in-form Burnley side at Turf Moor, and the Italian addressed the possibility of rotating key players in attacking positions.
Antonio Conte has no new injury concerns in his squad going into this tie and will have a full strength squad available to travel with him to Lancashire. However, he did reveal in his pre-match press conference that defender David Luiz was playing with an injury.
“He’s available, his fitness is good but he’s playing with a little pain in his knee. He’s a warrior and he’s playing very well, I’m pleased for him,”the Italian said. “He’s showing me a great attitude and a will to continue to fight despite the fact that sometimes he has a bit of pain.”
Despite this pain in his knee, it is highly improbable that the Brazilian will be left out of the squad. John Terry, Kurt Zouma, Nathan Ake are all fit, available and can all play at center-back but it is unlikely that Conte will leave anything to chance when he comes up against Sean Dyche’s side.
Cesc Fabregas may be in line for a start against the Clarets today, after making an impact coming off the bench against Arsenal last week. The Spaniard was widely expected to start, given Arsenal’s problems in midfield, but Conte instead chose to go with Matic and the decision paid off.
Willian, who has finally begun finding his stride after a slow start to the season, has had to battle with Pedro, who is back to his best under Antonio Conte, for a place in the starting XI this term. He started from the bench against Arsenal and was unable to make an impact as a late substitute.
Antonio Conte addressed the possibility of both of these players starting more often this season, insisting that the most important thing was to see every player in good form and have a good attitude, whether they start on the pitch or the bench.
“For sure there is this possibility because we are talking about two great players who are in great form,”he said. “To have Cesc and Willian on the bench or on the pitch is very important. Pedro is also playing very well, he’s in great form. When Cesc plays he’s doing very well.”