Chelsea Team News: Conte Confirms Double Blow, Attacker To Return + Giroud Update

Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways after their defeat to Bournemouth when they take on Watford at Vicarage Road on Monday night.

Antonio Conte has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s provided the latest news and injury updates ahead of the game.

The Blues boss confirmed a double blow with the news that Alvaro Morata and Andreas Christensen are expected to miss the trip to Watford on Monday through injury.

Morata has been sidelined by a niggling back injury in recent weeks and the Spanish international is still not ready to return so it could open the door for Olivier Giroud to make his debut.

The Frenchman completed a switch from Arsenal on deadline day but having only recently recovered from a hamstring injury, Conte isn’t convinced Giroud is ready to start just yet.

Christensen picked up a hamstring injury during the defeat to Bournemouth in midweek and while the problem isn’t thought to be too serious, it’s enough to keep the defender out of the Watford clash.

Emerson Palmieri completed his move to Stamford Bridge from Roma on deadline day but the full-back is unlikely to feature on Monday as he’s still working his way back to full fitness following a serious injury.

However, there was some positive news as Conte also confirmed that Willian could be set to return to the squad after missing the game on Wednesday night with a hamstring injury.

Conte reports that Morata remains out injured and that the first examination of Christensen's injury was positive, but he will miss Watford. He must check a couple of other players before that game.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 2, 2018

Conte says he has to check on Olivier Giroud's physical condition ahead of Monday's game but indicates it is unlikely the player will be ready for the starting 11. He further indicates Willian may be able to return.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 2, 2018

Conte on Giroud + Emerson: "We have to wait because, especially for Palmieri, we are talking about a player who has had a bad injury and has only played one game. Olivier is coming from a muscular injury and he was out for 50 days before he played for 15 minutes against Swansea."

— Vaishali Bhardwaj (@VaiBhardwaj) February 2, 2018

Chelsea head in to the Watford game having dropped to fourth in the table following the defeat to Bournemouth and with Tottenham now just two points adrift in fifth, Conte’s men are under pressure to get a result on Monday night.