Matic Hopes Batshuayi Will Make Up For Costa’s Absence

Dec 21, 2016 at 5:40 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
Matic Hopes Batshuayi Will Make Up For Costa’s Absence

London, Dec 21 (IANS) Capital football club Chelsea’s defender Nemanja Matic is hoping that young striker Michy Batshuayi will deliver in the absence of suspended Diego Costa, when they face Bournemouth in the English Premier League (EPL) on December 26.

League leaders Chelsea will be without the suspended duo of striker Costa and midfielder N’Golo Kante for the match. Both the players have played every EPL game this season. But for Bournemouth, head coach Antonio Conte will have to change his starting XI.

Belgian international Batshuayi is yet to start in an EPL league game since moving to Chelsea from Marseille in the summer. But Matic believes the 23-year-old is more than capable of leading their attack in the absence of Costa, who has fired 13 goals in the league so far.

“He is a great player, he works very hard every day and has a lot of quality for sure,” Matic told chelseafc.com on Tuesday.

“We won’t have Diego against Bournemouth but I hope Michy will be the man to decide the game. If he does that it will be good for us. He is a great striker, for sure, that is why Chelsea bought him. I’m sure if he gets a chance to score in the next game, he’ll take it.”

The seasoned Serbian also felt that Batshuayi’s overall game will only have improved having trained with Spaniard Costa on a daily basis.

“Of course he has benefited from working with him,” said the Serbian. “It was the same with me seven years ago. It was very good for me to see how Frank Lampard played, how Michael Ballack played and Michael Essien.

“So it is good for Michy and a good experience for him to see Diego’s movement.”

Asked how they will cope with such a situation in the absence of two key players, he said: “We have to cope with that, you have situations like this during the season, but other teams also have their problems.

“Of course, they are both important players for us but the next game we play is at home and we have to do our best to get three points,” Matic added.

“Everyone is important in football because you never know who is going to play the next game. I’m happy because in training you can see every player is physically ready.”

Related Article
Fans Lambast 12th Placed Chelsea ‘Who Have Found Their Level’ After Mocking Relegated Club
Fans Lambast 12th Placed Chelsea ‘Who Have Found Their Level’ After Mocking Relegated Club

May 29, 2023, 6:00 PM


‘Devil Baby’ AKA Orla Melissa Sloan Who Stalked Chelsea Stars Claimed Asda Banned Her For Lifetime After Dancing Half Naked In Aisle
‘Devil Baby’ AKA Orla Melissa Sloan Who Stalked Chelsea Stars Claimed Asda Banned Her For Lifetime After Dancing Half Naked In Aisle

May 26, 2023, 11:44 AM


Mason Mount ‘Leaning Towards Man United Move’ In A Big Blow To Arsenal And Liverpool Amid Uncertain Chelsea Future
Mason Mount ‘Leaning Towards Man United Move’ In A Big Blow To Arsenal And Liverpool Amid Uncertain Chelsea Future

May 26, 2023, 3:22 AM


Chelsea Fans Convinced In-Demand Premier League Star Is Set To Join Them After Spotting Sign On Instagram Live
Chelsea Fans Convinced In-Demand Premier League Star Is Set To Join Them After Spotting Sign On Instagram Live

May 26, 2023, 3:20 AM


Revealed: The Terrifying Stalking Tactics Of Instagram Influencer ‘Devil Baby’ To Target Chelsea Stars
Revealed: The Terrifying Stalking Tactics Of Instagram Influencer ‘Devil Baby’ To Target Chelsea Stars

May 26, 2023, 3:20 AM


Meet The Instagram Influencer Who Slept With Mason Mount And Targeted His Chelsea Teammates
Meet The Instagram Influencer Who Slept With Mason Mount And Targeted His Chelsea Teammates

May 26, 2023, 3:20 AM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner