Antonio Conte has suggested that Chelsea may use Eden Hazard as a false No.9 again despite striker Alvaro Morata’s availability against Southampton. In the absence of the Spaniard, who has an ongoing back problem, the Blues played without a recognised centre-forward away to Huddersfield, with Hazard flanked by Willian and Pedro – who both scored. Conte also used Hazard as a false No.9 last season, winning on each occasion, and the Italian coach admits he could start using the formation more regularly.
Speaking about his change in strategy ahead of Saturday’s clash with Southampton, he said: ‘We played in this way last season and I remember thinking this could be a good option. ‘I think you don’t give a point of reference to your opponent and you can play with three players who are very good technically, very good in one-versus-ones, very creative players.
But it will be very important to understand that to play with three strikers with this characteristic we need to have a good balance otherwise you risk to lose the game. ‘You risk to have a lot of counter attacks, and I don’t want this. But I think my players know very well what I want.’
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