However, after Antonio Conte guaranteed Fabregas to be involved in the upcoming games, the player has confirmed to be keen on staying at Stamford Bridge.
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Anthony Taylor did not produce a second yellow card and Costa went on to make it 2-1 to Chelsea in the 89th minute.
Speaking about the main Chelsea’s disappointment of the last season Eden Hazard, Conte noted: “Eden played a good game”.
Dimitri Payet, West Ham’s talisman previous year, was brought on with only 25 minutes to go, perhaps in deference to a rigorous summer with France en route to the Euro final.
The Belgian playmaker scored the opener from the penalty spot early in the second half at Stamford Bridge to send the Blues on their way to victory.
“This is a straight red card, that challenge there, it’s typical Costa, it happens too often”, he said. “I am not frustrated because of that, I am frustrated because of the late goal”.
He later added: “I saw that incident again, I don’t think it was reckless”. We know what to expect and what’s expected of each individual player.
The Blues are desperate to put the last campaign behind them and mount a serious challenge for the English Premier League title, which they spectacularly relinquished by finishing 10th on the log, with 50 points from 38 games.
“I think the team played a good game with a great intensity and spirit”, Conte told Sky Sports. He was trying to get back after making a mistake and he fouled the Chelsea fullback, but I don’t blame Antonio.
However, like the rest of the Chelsea squad, he struggled last season and reportedly isn’t considered to be a key player by new manager Conte for the season ahead.
“We were so close against a top side on their ground, but they deserved it”, Bilic said.
West Ham’s Andre Ayew pulled up with an apparent injury on the play and was replaced by fellow new signing Gokhan Tore, before the first half ended with Adrian tipping Willian’s free kick over the bar.
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“Nine times out of 10, a challenge on a goalkeeper like this looks like a booking”.
