Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has revealed the reason behind Eden Hazard’s substitution against Arsenal, despite the player’s terrific performance in the 3-1 victory over the North London rivals last Saturday.
Marcos Alonso headed in the first-half opener before the Belgian international completed a stunning solo run with a tidy finish to make it two on the second period. Cesc Fabregas then lobbed in the third before Olivier Giroud headed in a late consolation goal for the Gunners.
The 25-year-old forward was then brought off and replaced by Kurt Zouma, and Conte explains he only took off the player because he wanted him to receive the standing ovation he deserved.
“When I make a substitution there is always a reason. In the last game I wanted to give him a great applause of our fans. I think he deserved this, as of how he played. Sometimes there is a technical time.
I am not very good to put a price on a player. I think Eden is a great player, a top player. He is a on a high level. But I don’t see a problem because we don’t want to sell him. There is no price on him.”
– Antonio Conte, Football.London
Hazard was named as the Man of the Match against Arsenal, and his spectacular display even got him named in the EA Team of the Week for the third time this term!
