After two back to back losses against Liverpool and Arsenal that saw Chelsea lose ground in the title race early in the season, Antonio Conte would have been happy with the victory over Hull City at the weekend going into the international break.
The manager made more than a couple of big money signings in the summer but the squad has not looked like one that can challenge for the title and it does not come as a surprise that the manager is linked with a number of top players from Europe for a move in January.
However, this has not stopped the players from the club linked with a move away from the Bridge and one such player linked to a move away from the club just a few months into his time in England is Belgium international Michy Batshuayi.
The 23-year old moved to Chelsea early in the summer transfer window and was supposed to be a backup for Diego Costa who has started the new season in fine form.
He has been impressive in the few chances he got in front of the goal but he has not been able to keep the manager happy with his returns.
The £33.2m man is yet to start a game in the Premier League this season and it looks like he will have to wait a long time for consistent game time, especially with the form of the Spaniard at the moment.
Without European football, Conte does not need too much depth in attack and it is understood that he might be ready to offload Batshuayi just months after spending big on him.
Reports suggest that Marseille, his former club that bagged the 30+millions for his sale, are ready to pounce on him and want to take him back on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Costa has already found the back of the net 6 times this season and is in red-hot form going into the international break.
Though Conte does not have a genuine replacement for Costa in the first team, it is understood that Batshuayi wants some regular game time in the middle and is ready to move back to France in January.
It will be important for Conte to make sure that he has enough options in his squad before he lets the player go but another report suggesting that Batshuayi was not Conte’s first choice this season tells us another story.
Conte may not be ready to give the youngster regular chances in the starting XI yet and Batshuayi will be better off finding a place in his former side.
It will be interesting to see if Conte is ready to let Batshuayi go before making further additions. Do you think Chelsea should let Batshuayi leave on loan in January?