Wise sends message to Conte

Manchester : Chelsea legend Dennis Wisehas admitted that he was surprised that Antonio Conte did not call on Michy Batshuayi from the start in Chelsea’s goalless draw with Everton on Saturday.

The Chelsea manager opted not to use the Belgian forward from the off, despite Alvaro Morata missing the game due to suspension.

Instead, Conte opted to start a front three of Eden Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez and Willian, and left Batshuayi on the bench.

Batshuayi only came on for the final 19 minutes at Goodison Park as he wasn’t given much time to influence the game. And former Chelsea star Wise has admitted his surprise that Conte didn’t call on Batshuayi from the start at Goodison Park.

Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports after the game, Wise said: “When you start with Willian, Pedro and Hazard, they all want to come off people. They don’t want to go in behind.

“Batshuayi wants to go in behind. He stretches the play a little bit more.

“I was surprised he didn’t come on at half-time.”

Chelsea return to Premier League action on Boxing Day when they host Brighton at Stamford Bridge. The west London side’s draw with Everton caused them to fall even further behind in the race for the title, with the Blues now 16 points behind leaders Manchester City after 19 games of the new campaign.