Chelsea are really feeling the pain of missing out on Europe now. Not only have they lost the money and the ability to get top level players, they’re also lost a minimum of six Champions League games from their calendar.
While this means more time on the training pitch and more rest for his squad, Antonio Conte now has little window to rotate his squad. In the early rounds of the EFL cup his team have only just squeaked through, and the manager isn’t in any position to risk losing games in those competitions.
It’s no surprise Michy Batshuayi has been linked with an exit. The Belgian striker has been exceptional every time he’s been brought on, but is yet to see a league start. With Diego Costa in the form of his life, Batyuayi’s best chance of a start comes from partnering the Brazilian in a potential formation change to 3-5-2.