There is likelihood that Chelsea FC may lose another match in a row on Monday without Alvaro Morata and Olivier Giroud unlikely to start.
It was reported that Alvaro Morata was out on injury.
Manager Antonio Conte picked a side without a CF for the midweek Premier League clash with Bournemouth – a game Chelsea lost 3-0 at Stamford Bridge.
They could be forced into a similar situation on Monday, with Conte confirming that Morata will not play at Vicarage Road. Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Conte said:
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‘Morata is still out, we hope to be able to solve his situation, but he has a problem in his back and he is missing a lot of games, it is not a good situation for me or for team.’ That would appear to open the door for £18M deadline day signing Giroud, however Conte said the forward was unsure if he is yet fit to start.
He said: ‘Giroud has had a muscular injury, he could only play for 15mins for Arsenal vs Swansea. ‘We want players in the best physical condition and to work with them so we are happy and they are happy with our football.’ Giroud trained with his team mates for the 1st time on Thursday, but his new manager is not yet sure if the striker can start at Vicarage Road.
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He said: ‘We are starting to work with him, we have to check his physical condition. It won’t be easy to see him in the starting XI, but maybe.’ Another player who will definitely be absent vs Watford is Andreas Christensen, the defender having hobbled off vs Bournemouth with a hamstring injury. Conte said: ‘For Christensen, the 1st examination was positive, but we have to wait, but for sure he is out vs Watford.’ Another new signing, LB Emerson Palmieri, is also unlikely to feature, having only recently returned from injury.
www.sojworld.com © February 3, 2018
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