Chelsea
boss Antonio Conte has revealed he is open to signing new players during the
January transfer window but only if it makes "numerical" sense.
Chelsea are third in the Premier League, 14 points behind leaders Manchester
City, and Conte admits the club deserves to trail Pep Guardiola's side due
to their "extraordinary" form.
The Blues boss has conceded in the past that Chelsea possess a small squad,
meaning any business during January needs to suit the side's balance.
"If there is the possibility to improve the squad under a numerical aspect I
think it will be a good choice but at the same time, I'm enjoying these
players," Conte said ahead of Saturday's Premier League game against Everton
- live on Sky Sports Premier League.
"At this moment I'm ready to continue to play with all these players because
they are showing me great commitment and great behaviours and I'm very happy
to work with these players.
"But at the same time, if there is the possibility to improve our squad I
think the club will try to do this."
Defender David Luiz - who is currently unavailable due to injury - has been
linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in recent weeks, though Conte
was not being drawn to questions on players' futures.
"A difficult period is starting, especially for every club and every coach
because in this period there are a lot of rumours - some rumours are true,
some rumours are wrong," he added.
"We must be ready to face this situation. I think the best way for me is I
don't read and only to chat with the club and then to try to improve our
squad if this is possible."
Chelsea will be without suspended striker Alvaro Morata for this weekend's
trip to Goodison Park after picking up a late yellow card in the team's 2-1
victory against Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.
The Spanish forward was celebrating his winning goal when he placed the ball
under his shirt to reference his wife's pregnancy, leading to referee Lee
Mason cautioning him.
"It's a pity, but we have to accept the decision, to try at the same time in
the future to pay great attention," said Conte.
"In that moment we were enjoying the goal and I didn't see the situation. I
knew that he tried to celebrate the goal with the ball under the shirt.
"You can allow this, because this is a celebration. You are showing your
joy."
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