Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has defended Michy Batshuayi after his performance at Crystal Palace, as reported by Goal.
The Belgian international led the line for the Blues with talisman Alvaro Morata ruled out of action with a hamstring injury, but flattered to deceive as the visitors were beaten by Palace.
The Eagles, who had not scored a single goal nor picked up a single point prior to the match, took the lead as Yohan Cabaye’s shot bounced off Cesar Azpilicueta. The Blues equalised through Tiemoue Bakayoko, but found themselves defeated as Wilfried Zaha clinched a winner.
Batshuayi came under heavy criticism after the match following what was perceived as a poor performance. However, his boss Conte has jumped to his defence, insisting that it would be unfair to point out the former Marseille man for particular criticism.
Why do you have to speak about Batshuayi and for example not another player? I think that the performance of the whole team was bad. Not only one player or two players but all of the players.
Today, our performance was bad. I trust in every one of my players. I try to give everyone the opportunity to take their chances but also because we have only Morata and then Batshuayi.
Chelsea take on Roma in midweek as they look to make it nine points from a possible nine in the Champions League group stage, with Batshuayi expected to start again.
I didn’t see this [Batshuayi’s reaction to being substituted] but it is normal to be angry after a bad performance. But today, every player had a bad performance.
I know my players, I know my squad very well, between last season and this season. I think, above all, for the players that I am working with from last season, I know them very well, but I think that I have players with a great will to work.
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