Tiemoue Bakayoko set to be rushed into Chelsea debut against Tottenham despite not being fully fit

Bakayoko completed his £40m move from Monaco last month
Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Simon Johnson18 August 2017

Chelsea are set to risk playing Tiemoue Bakayoko against Tottenham on Sunday despite the midfielder not being fully fit.

Bakayoko has not played for the senior team since joining from Monaco for £40m this summer due to undergoing a knee operation at the end of last season.

The France international played in a friendly behind closed doors yesterday, but it is still early in his recovery.

But Chelsea coach Antonio Conte has admitted he may have no choice to include him due to a lack of numbers in is squad, not helped by Cesc Fabregas being suspended.

“I don’t know (if he will start or be on the bench), I have to decide. It’s not easy in this moment. We have a situation that could force me to make difficult decisions.

“I am concerned. The only worry is when you try to put players in very soon, the risk to have another injury is high, this is my worry. But we have to face this situation and we have to take some risks.”

Eden Hazard played in the same match as Bakayoko against QPR at the training ground on Thursday, but Conte is taking a different stance with him.

Hazard fractured his right ankle while with Belgium in June and as Standard Sport reported this week, may have to wait until the match against Leicester on September 9 to return.

Conte added: “Hazard is improving but to be fully fit he needs time. We must have patience with him and try to do the best for him.”

Chelsea also look set to be without Spain midfielder Pedro as he continues to struggle with an ankle problem sustained in the Community Shield earlier this month.

“Pedro has trained with us,” Conte said. “But he felt pain in his ankle. I don’t know about Pedro. His situation is very difficult, if he available for the bench or not.”

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