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Chelsea: Alvaro Morata scare may derail Antonio Conte’s rotation plans

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Alvaro Morata of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 02: Alvaro Morata of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on December 2, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Alvaro Morata could miss Chelsea’s clash with West Ham after pulling up short in training. Should this be true, Antonio Conte may need to readjust his rotation plans.

As Chelsea continue to negotiate a stacked Christmas schedule, Antonio Conte has intelligently rotated his starting eleven to keep his players fresh. However, he may be forced into a quick re-think after Alvaro Morata pulled up short in training on Friday.

According to the Evening Standard, the Spaniard even underwent a scan.

"Standard Sport understands that the Spain striker pulled up in training on Friday morning and had to undergo a scan."

Conte, though, refused to confirm or deny his availability for Saturday’s lunchtime fixture.

"We have to check a couple of situations, then to make the best decision for tomorrow’s game against West Ham."

The Italian quite clearly dodged the question. While the Blues will be expecting to grab three points with or without Morata, this latest development does throw a spanner into the works.

Fatigue and muscular injury will be of great concern as Chelsea play twice week through to the New Year. The Blues cannot afford to drop more points, especially if Manchester City defeat their city rivals on Sunday. Hence, all the players selected will need to play with full intensity.

Morata’s potential absence could force Conte to start players who may have otherwise been rested. Whether that be Eden Hazard or N’Golo Kante, not having their top goalscorer will increase the pressure on other members of the squad to both compensate in front of goal and be tight in defence.

Having said that, Morata may have been due a rest this weekend anyway. West Ham, at least on paper, are Chelsea’s easiest opponents over the coming weeks. The Hammers have conceded more goals than anyone else in the league and thus Conte may have earmarked this as a day to bench his Spaniard.

Next: Scouting West Ham’s danger to Chelsea’s good run

What do you think? Will Morata take the field? Will Conte’s plans be thrown into disarray? Let us know in the comments below!

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