Hazard was in fine form, during the week, as Chelsea became the first English team to win at Atletico with a 2-1 success in the Champions League.

The 26-year-old was making only his second start of the season in Madrid following three substitute appearances after surgery on his ankle.

Now Hazard is poised for his first Premier League start of the campaign

With Manchester City looking strong, Chelsea boss Conte wants Hazard to help the champions draw level on points with the leaders at Stamford Bridge.

“If he was able to play one game like the last game against Atletico Madrid it means he’s ready now to play with continuity,” Conte told reporters on Friday.

“For us he’s an important player. Last season he had an important season, he played very well, he performed as a top player. I’m very happy for him.”

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Luiz, booked earlier in the match for catching Laurent Koscielny’s face with an attempted bicycle kick, was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver in the 87th minute.

The Brazil defender becomes the third Chelsea player to be red carded in five Premier League matches this season.

“You know very well that I don’t like to comment on refereeing decisions,” Conte said of the incident.

“It is in the past. Now the only thing I can say is it is very important to see what happened before the David Luiz tackle.”

Asked if he was referring to the pressure applied on Luiz by Alexis Sanchez immediately prior to the lunge on Kolasinac, he added: “For sure, that was a foul. For sure. But, I repeat, the referee took this decision. If he stopped the play before, it wouldn’t matter.

“Do you think we are becoming bad? For sure, it’s strange, no? A strange situation. But in normal situations we have to improve. In tactical situations, physical situations, you need to try and improve. Also, you have to be more lucky in the future.

“I was a player and I think it can happen, this type of period, if you are not so lucky and receive red cards.

“In the end, we’ll try to pay more attention in the future. I hope, also, to be more lucky with the refereeing decisions — for us, and also for the opponents. Sometimes [this season] the opponents deserved a red card but, instead, they carry on playing with 11 men.”

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Speaking ahead of the game on Friday, Conte hinted that red cards shown to Victor Moses and Pedro Rodriguez in the two previous meetings between the clubs were unjustified.

“I hope to finish the game with 11 players, because in the last two games, FA Cup final and the Community Shield, we finished two games with 10 men,” he said.

“I hope this. Then during the game I think the best [team] wins.”

Asked if he would instruct his Chelsea players to be more disciplined this time around, Conte said: “For sure when you start the game you try to keep always the right discipline, but in both situations I think you have to see very well if there was the red card or not.”

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Speaking on Friday ahead of the game, Conte failed to hide his frustration.

“Honestly, if you have to give your evaluation on the card (on paper) it’s right. It’s right not to put Chelsea to be a favourite.

“It was the same last season. Not one person believed Chelsea would win the title. This season, in this moment, I agree with these people who think this,” the Italian said.

When asked why he was so gloomy about Chelsea’s chances, Conte replied: “Why? I have always answered this question, not only once but twice, three times.”

The post Conte reveals why Chelsea may not defend Premier League title first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Conte reveals why Chelsea may not defend Premier League title appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.