Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has criticised Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero for his rash tackle on David Luiz in the closing stages of Chelsea’s 3-1 triumph at the Etihad last Saturday. Aguero was sent off for the tackle and the Argentinian striker has been handed a 4-match ban.
Conte admitted that he was scared for Luiz and was worried if he had sustained serious injury, and he confirmed the Brazilian’s involvement in the upcoming game against West Brom is not a certainty. “I have to check on Saturday if David Luiz is able to play on Sunday because, after this tackle, I don't know,” said Conte.
“This tackle was very bad so I have to check on his recovery from his injury. It will be very important for him and for me to decide whether he's able to play on Sunday. That tackle was dangerous, for sure. I watched the images and I was afraid (he might be injured). I was scared. He's trying to recover from this tackle. I only realised after I saw the replays. That's when I saw this was very dangerous for David Luiz,” said the Chelsea manager.
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Luiz left the pitch with a large ice pack on his knee and it would be a huge blow for the Blues if he is ruled out of the visit of West Bromwich Albion. The 29-year-old has been instrumental in Chelsea’s resurgence in the league which has seen them win 8-matches on the bounce. Aguero’s challenge on Luiz instigated a scuffle between the Chelsea and Manchester City players and match referee Anthony Taylor also had to send off Fernandinho for his violent behaviour.
Matic/Fabregas conundrum for Conte
Along with Luiz’s fitness, the Chelsea boss will also have to ponder upon whether to start Nemanja Matic or Cesc Fabregas in the midfield. Matic missed out last week with a calf injury and Fabregas was subsequently given his first start in over two months. The Spaniard delivered an impressive performance handing Conte serious selection headache ahead of the game against The Baggies.
Conte said, “Matic is now fit. He trained with us from Tuesday and I also have Saturday to evaluate the physical and mental situation of every single player and then to decide for the line-up on Sunday. About Cesc, I have already replied in the previous press conference.
“Cesc is a good player, an important player in my squad. I want him to stay here. I hope to have this difficult [ selection] decisions in every game. It means that I have great competition and this means the level in our squad is improving and raising," said the Chelsea manager.
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Conte praised Fabregas for his fine showing against City and the Italian insisted that it is good to have competition for places in the squad, “I think Cesc played a good game against City and took the opportunity from the first minute,” Conte added.
The Chelsea manager continued, “He played very well. Now for the next game I have a choice of four midfielders: Matic, [N'Golo] Kante, Fabregas and [Nathaniel] Chalobah. We have to take the best decision for the team. If there is a great competition this is very important. If I haven't got a problem to take the decision and always put the same line-up it is not good."
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