“Everyone is important in football because you never know who is going to play the next game”.
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Meanwhile, only Christian Fuchs (52) played more key passes than Walker (46) of all defenders this year as the Spurs man thrived for the north London side.
Costa has been pivotal to Chelsea’s success this season, scoring 13 goals to help fire Antonio Conte’s side to the top of the table.
Costa’s victor at Selhurst Park took his league tally to 13 and ensured he stands alone at the top of the Premier League scoring charts, while Kante has been an irrepressible force in the Blues midfield as they have charged to the division’s summit.
Diego Costa Fired Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over west Bromwich Albion on Sunday as the Spain Striker late victor clinched a hard fought extended their winning streak in the English Premier League to Nine matches and edged them closer to Arsenal’s record run.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says that he has been closely following the progress of Nathan Ake, who is now on loan at Bournemouth.
A surprise second victory on Chelsea turf could take them to seventh, the highest position in their 117-year existence – although, as Eddie Howe’s team have won only once on the road this season, it is rather improbable. Without him, the complexion of the team changes. “It’s not just the difference in points, it’s also the Chelsea philosophy of playing”, the Portuguese manager said.
‘I think the defence has been very good for us, particularly over the last three or four games.
“These players, in the past, have had the habit of staying top of the table”, the former Juventus and Italy boss added. We have different solutions to replace Costa and Kante.
“Usually when I don’t win it’s very hard to sleep, but now I’m sleeping the right (amount)”, Conte told British media.
“What my eyes see in this week are very important”. But the team recovered form under interim manager Guus Hiddink and finished the season with a run of five successive wins.
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But Conte posited that their absence will only give him the opportunity to try out new tactics in the team.
