Antonio Conte Reveals Why This Striker Cannot Replace Diego Costa

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has revealed Michy Batshuayi is finding life difficult due to the physicality of the Premier league.

The Belgium international arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £33 million deal from Marseille during the summer transfer window, but has not had the best of start to life in England.

Batshuayi is now in contention to replace suspended Diego Costa in their match against Bournemouth on Boxing Day and Conte has said the striker is finding hard to adapt to life in the League.

The Italian boss said: ‘Yes, I spoke about Michy in the post game [after beating Crystal Palace], and I said that it’s not easy to arrive in this league, to play in this league if you are a young player,

‘You are arriving in a new country, it’s difficult, especially for a young player to adapt because this league is very tough. This league is very physical, very strong.

‘Michy is working very well, we must have patience with him, to help him.

‘The next step is to play more this season.

‘But I repeat, it’s not easy to adapt to this league, to arrive and to play.’

The former Marseille striker will hope to prove himself to Conte next Monday with talks the Italian boss is prepared to keep him at the club cooling down his exit speculations.