Underfire Chelsea Forward Michy Batshuayi Destined to Leave in January

Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi's will leave Stamford Bridge in January because Antonio Conte does not think he is an adequate fit for his side, according to former Blues striker Tony Cascarino. Batshuayi joined the Premier League champions from Marseille for £32m but has failed to break into the first-team under Conte, who only afforded the Belgium international one start in the league last season.

The 24-year-old had to make do with being Diego Costa's understudy last season and is now second fiddle to Alvaro Morata, who has made a very bright start to life at Chelsea with seven goals and two assists in his opening eight matches.

Batshuayi did start against Crystal Palace in Morata's absence but failed to stake a claim for a regular first-team spot as Chelsea succumbed to a shock 2-1 defeat at Selhurst Park on Saturday (14 October).

Conte saw fit to withdraw the Belgian before the hour mark as his side were chasing an equaliser against Roy Hodgson's side, and Cascarino thinks the Italian's reluctance to play him combined with his unsuccessful pursuit of Fernando Llorente suggests that Batshuayi's days in west London are numbered.

"When you are at a club and they are trying to sign a 32-year-old, 6ft 4in striker who would make you the third-choice No 9, then it's clear the manager doesn't rate you," Cascarino wrote in his column for The Times.

"That's the situation Batshuayi has found himself in at Chelsea. And even though Antonio Conte didn't sign Fernando Llorente, he's still trying to not play Batshuayi.

"Against Manchester City last month, Conte replaced the injured Alvaro Morata with Willian after 35 minutes, then when they were chasing a goal against Crystal Palace he subbed Batshuayi on 57 minutes.

"How many arrows can be fired into his back? Conte clearly doesn't rate him and that rubs off on the fans, who think he's not good enough. It's clear that his future lies elsewhere and I think he will leave the club in January."

Despite his apparent unwillingness to use Batshuayi, Conte may have to start him in Chelsea's Champions League group stage clash with Roma on Wednesday. The former Juventus boss is hopeful that Morata will be able to play against Eusebio De Francesco's men, but it remains to be seen whether the Spaniard recovers from his hamstring injury in time for the clash at Stamford Bridge.

Source - IBTimes

Comments

Roma Midfielder Signs New Deal with Italian Club

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has signed a new four-year contract with the Serie A club. The 29-year-old Belgium international had been linked with Manchester United in Italian media, while Chelsea were also reported to be interested. This was coupled by suggestions that Nainggolan was growing impatient with the numerous delays in receiving a contract proposal from the capital club. However, the 29-year-old has put any doubts about his future to bed by extending his contract until 2021, in a deal that will see him earn €4.5 million per season, including bonuses, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I think I have demonstrated that this is what I always wanted," Nainggolan said. "I'm very happy that the club and I can continue our adventure and move forward together." Nainggolan has played 161 times for Roma since joining from Cagliari in 2014. Nainggolan becomes the third senior central midfielder to extend their contract at Roma th...

Chelsea Winger Suffers 'Multiple Fractures', Says Chelsea Antonio Conte

Chelsea's Pedro has suffered multiple fractures from his collision with David Ospina in China, according to boss Antonio Conte. Ahead of the Blues' next pre-season clash with Bayern Munich in Singapore, Conte confirmed Pedro must wear a protective mask after 10 days of rehabilitation. Conte said: "The situation was more serious. I hoped it would be only concussion. He had multiple fractures but I think with a mask in 10 days he could come back to work with us." The Spaniard was clattered by Arsenal goalkeeper Ospina during their 3-0 win over Arsenal in Beijing on Saturday and was sent home to England with concussion the next day. The 29-year-old had left the field at Bird's Nest Stadium groggy and hobbling, with visible cuts to his face and head. Conte had initially been hopeful Pedro could join them in Singapore for the next leg of their tour but the forward said on Instagram: "What a shock. Fortunately everything is okay." Pedro ...

Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United Need, Says Fortmer Tottenham Manager

The signing of a proven world-class forward such as Alexis Sanchez is just what Manchester United need to compete for the biggest prizes, former Tottenham manager Gerry Francis has said. Sanchez, 29, joined United on a four-and-a-half-year contract from Arsenal on Monday, 22 January, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving in the opposite direction in a straight-swap deal. "Sanchez is a real goal-scorer, he's talented and he's aggressive around the box and he makes things happen, he can pull teams through," he told Sky Sports.Francis described the Chilean forward as a match-winner who will aid United in their quest to win silverware by adding some much-needed potency to their attack. "It's [about] the present, you're looking to win trophies and looking to win competitions and, sometimes, you need to buy and have the finished article and Sanchez is certainly that. "It just makes them as a squad that much stronger. Certainly, a much bigger goal-threat with Sa...

Plauseorminus

Search This Blog