Michy Batshuayi was back at Marseille last night, offering support to his former team.
Chelsea’s summer signing left the French club back in July in a £33m deal.
The Belgium international striker attracted plenty of attention from the Premier League following his two-year spell with Marseille and impact at Euro 2016.
West Ham and Crystal Palace made moves for Batshuayi, but the 23-year-old ultimately opted for Stamford Bridge.
Marseille were practically forced into offloading their star hitman due to financial difficulties.
But so far he has lacked regular game time under Antonio Conte, and he was an unused substitute on Saturday in Chelsea’s 3-0 win over Leicester.
Yesterday, though, Batshuayi took time out to return to Marseille and watch their clash with Metz from the stands at the Stade Velodrome.
The forward was pictured at the game, and he even sent a message to supporters on Twitter after Marseille’s 1-0 win.
Batshuayi tweeted: “Well here I have to come every game. Good evening, and thank you to everyone for your messages.”
The Chelsea man clearly still carries his former side close to his heart, but looking towards the future, he’ll hope for more chances in west London.
Without European football, in-form Diego Costa is expected to continue as the focal striker under Conte.
But Batshuayi could earn a starting spot in next Wednesday’s EFL Cup fourth round clash at the London Stadium when Chelsea face West Ham, the club who also tried to sign him.
The Blues have climbed to fifth place in the Premier League table and only goal difference separates the club and a place in the top four.
The manner in which Chelsea eased past Leicester is a concern for Claudio Ranieri but Conte will be delighted to have seen his plans come to fruition at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea now boasts the fourth-best attack in England’s top tier, having scored 15 goals in eight games, but Conte was quick to point out that the victory over Leicester was built on defensive solidity.
The Blues host Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United next weekend and could force their way into the Champions League places with victory over the Red Devils.
The cornerstone of Conte’s blueprint is the switch to a back three, allowing impressive wing-backs Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso to work the flanks, which in turn enables the creative genius of Eden Hazard to flourish in a more central, advanced role.
Hazard clearly relishes his new-found room for expression, ripping through the heart of Leicester’s defense to steer Chelsea two ahead midway through the first half.
Diego Costa’s early strike and a composed late finish from Moses sends Chelsea into the Sunday showdown with spirits high.