Antonio Conte hailed Alvaro Morata for putting up to the physical challenge of the Premier League beyond expectation after the striker scored his first Chelsea hat trick in a 4-0 thrashing of Stoke City.
“Now he is involved totally in our style of football and our idea and he is very strong,” Conte said.
“You can see that today [he took] a lot of good contact and tackles and I think he’s showing that he’s a really good, complete player.
“This league is not easy, above all for the strikers because during the game there is a lot of physical contact, and you must be prepared for this type of game because referees don’t whistle a lot and that’s good for the game.
“He adapted very well to this league but now he has to continue to work and improve because I think he has only just started his path.”
“I think now Eden is improving a lot and for sure he is in contention for the game against Atletico Madrid,” Conte added. “After a bad injury and surgery you need time but I think he is showing that he’s ready. He is almost ready to play but if I make this decision it will be because I am comfortable with this decision.
“I think we are managing his recovery very well. Hazard is very important for us and now it’s important to be sure that he’s ready to play for the whole game.”
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