Eden Hazard is an injury doubt for Chelsea as they travel to Norwich City for an FA Cup third round clash on Saturday. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte revealed Friday during his news conference that his star attacking player is suffering from a calf issue, and that it could keep him out of the match tomorrow.
“When you play every three days especially after the Christmas period you have to make many rotations,” Conte said. “My idea is to continue like the past and make rotations.”
“I believe in my players and for sure we want to go to the next round. Hazard is our only problem, he had a kick in his calf and he has to try to solve this problem.”
It wasn’t the only huge news to emerge from Conte’s media session today, as the Blues boss took aim at both Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger.
Additionally, Hazard’s fitness situation isn’t the only headline news surrounding the Belgian today. There has been talk that Hazard could be close to signing a new Chelsea contract extension amidst Real Madrid transfer rumors.
Responding to comments from Thibaut Courtois in which the Chelsea goalkeeper revealed that he and Hazard have been encouraging each other to put pen to paper, a highly sought-after talent told reporters: “I don’t know who’ll be the first to sign a new deal. That’s a secret.”
Reportedly, Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have been encouraging each other to extend their stays at Stamford Bridge. Who will be the first to make it official? Watch this space.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube.