Antonio Conte admitted David Luiz could leave Chelsea in January but insists he will only go if there is a new arrival at the club.
The Brazilian centre-back suffered a public falling out with the Italian tactician after Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League and he has not featured in the Premier League since.
While the pair both claim there is no ill-feeling towards one another now, Luiz was left out of several squads before a knee injury ruled him out of action more recently.
The 30-year-old will be desperate to play regularly in a World Cup year as he hopes to travel to Russia with the Brazil squad and Conte understands that players may seek to leave the club in January.
And he suggested he’s happy for the centre-half – who has been linked with a move to Arsenal – to leave, should Chelsea land reinforcements in January.
‘First of all, David improved his physical condition a lot,’ Conte said ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Arsenal. ‘In the last couple of days he worked with us. He can be in contention for the Norwich game.
‘I am happy to work with these players, I trust these players. At the same time, I understand if a player isn’t playing with regularity and wants to play with regularity.
‘All the players we have in our squad, we want to continue here because our squad is not big.
‘It is impossible to sell or loan a player if we don’t sign another player.’
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