Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has conceded that it was a risk to start Alvaro Morata in a third game in just seven days when the Blues faced Manchester City at the weekend — but insists that it was a risk he had to take.
Morata started his side’s game against Stoke two weekends ago, before lining up against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, then starting against Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday evening — but the heavy fixture list has taken its toll on the Spanish striker as he injured his hamstring during the game against City.
Morata had to be substituted in the 34th minute against Pep Guardiola’s side, suffering with a hamstring injury which has now ruled him out of Spain’s upcoming double header, with the Spanish FA now having to call up a replacement.
However, Conte insists that he couldn’t have left Morata on the bench against City, despite the massive demand on his body which comes with playing three times in a week (via the Daily Star):
To play three games in seven days is not simple
But I made the decision to risk Morata in this game, because imagine if I decided to put Morata on the bench?
He mentioned that wing-backs Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses were rested because of their workload, but feels that there would have been massive backlash if Morata had been left on the bench against City, regardless of his workload.
Chelsea’s next game comes against Crystal Palace on the 14th October, after the international break, so Morata has some time to rest and recover now.
