Antonio Conte spoke to the press today, and in doing so confirmed some injury news that will have significant effects on his lineup selection for this weekend.
Tiemoue Bakayoko and Eden Hazard will not be able to play, while Victor Moses will be available for the game despite a red card he picked up in the FA Cup final against the Gunners in May.
Pedro will be fit to return however, and new signing Alvaro Morata ready to compete for a place in the first team.
There’s no reason to think that Conte’s preferred back line has changed, so Cahill-Luiz-Azpi should back up Alonso and Moses at wing back.
In midfield options are limited thanks to the outgoing transfers this summer, with N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas likely to make up a vulnerable looking two.
Alvaro Morata was tried out wide from the start against Inter so that Conte could accommodate both him and Michy Batshuayi, but Pedro’s return could see Morata start up front, with the returning Spaniard and Willian playing behind him.
There are plenty of other options Conte could take, and it may well be that he feels he wants to keep Michy playing up front and leave Morata on the bench to try and build up his fitness for the Premier League opener against Burnley.
Michy got goals in preseason and may feel he has a right to a shot in the first team after his patience last year.
