Eden Hazard has not travelled with the Chelsea squad due to play Sunderland on Wednesday night after failing to recover from a minor knock from the weekend, reports The Guardian.
The Belgium international has rediscovered his best form for Chelsea this season and his absence is a blow to their chances of recording a 10th straight win in the Premier League.
Hazard, 25, picked up a knock during Chelsea’s 1-0 win over West Brom on Sunday, but Conte will be hopeful of having his talisman back for the weekend’s match away to Crystal Palace.
Willian is now expected to replace the Chelsea No.10 on the left-flank after dropping down the pecking order following Pedro’s resurgence. The Brazil international hasn’t started a league game since scoring in Chelsea’s 2-0 win away to Hull at the start of October.
However, without Hazard Chelsea will be without the highest rated player in the Premier League (7.94), having scored eight goals and registered one assist in 15 league games this season.
For more stats on Eden Hazard, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
