Chelsea press conference live updates as Antonio Conte previews Stoke clash and Diego Costa exit

Chelsea reportedly lead race for striker

Costa might be on his way out, but Chelsea could be on the verge of signing a new striker - albeit a young one!

That's all from Antonio for now!

There will be more from Conte on football.london soon, including a full transcript and build up to the Stoke game.

On Kurt Zouma

For Kurt this season it is very important to play. After a really bad injury, not simple, he broke his leg in a bad way. For him this season it is very important, he is playing very well and it is a pleasure to see him playing regularly. He can improve and can fit more. In this case, every decision I make the decision with the club, together.

It is important to know this. In this case, the best way for him was to send him on loan and play regularly. He got a long contract that means we trust him. It was important to send him on loan.

Kenedy and Musonda

We are working with them from January and I was pleased to see this type of performance from them. For sure these are two players with a good prospect. They stay with us, if they are in our squad then it means we trust them. Honestly I felt a really good atmosphere in the changing room and link between old and young players, this is the right way. The season is long and I have to give the opportunity to players to show us that they are learning.

Should CL teams play in the League Cup?

We must know to play four competitions is not easy. Then sometimes when you ask if the players are happy if they don’t play? You have to find the right balance to give the right opportunity and balance in every competition, when this happens the most important thing is the answer from the players must be positive.

It is normal in the first round to have the rotation. It is not easy and you have to give an opportunity to some players to play. Every competition is important, I don’t think one team thinks it is better to lose one game. We want to win and go through in this competition. It is normal sometimes you pay something in this competition when you have big rotation.

Will Diego Costa be a distraction?

We always though to work and be focused on the pitch and work. This is very important and we have to continue this. We were very focused and this is the right way if you want to build something important.

How hard will the Champions League be?

This season it will be a big challenge for us, to face each competition with our squad and play every three days. We have Stoke and two important games with Atletico and City. This type of situation will be very important for us to face in the right way. It won’t be easy to have these games very close.

What will the next three games tell you? (Stoke, Atletico, Man City)

The most important thing is to go game by game. Tomorrow it will be a really tough game and we have to be prepared for the physical and tactical aspect and be disciplined. I am pleased for the commitment of my players. Sometimes it can happen a red card.

Will Hazard start?

I am pleased for Eden, because in the last game he played he played very well. He played with a good intensity. Now his injury is overcome and now we have to play three games. There is the possibility now to try to pick him for these games.

How tough will Stoke be?

For sure it will be a really tough game. As you said before they beat Arsenal and drew against United, it means they are a very good team.

We must pay great attention tomorrow. This is the first of three tough games in seven games. A good test and challenge for us.

On Costa, will you look back on good or bad times?

We won together last season and for sure we want to thank him for his effort last season, and in the period he played for Chelsea.

Will Batshuayi get more chances soon?

He is one of the players in our squad. Last season he didn’t play a lot. After one year I think he has worked very hard last season to be able to face this league and work with Chelsea. He will have the right chance.

Has Costa ruined his Chelsea legacy?

Now I am not interest to talk about the past. I think the past is not important. For every coach and player, the past stays there. We have to work for the present and future to build something important.

Is Conte happy with his squad?

We must work and be ready to fight in every competition. We are Chelsea and have to do the best in every competition. Our target is to do our best every day, week and month in every competition.

Conte's relationship with Costa

Now it is not important, I am not interest to continue talking about this issue. I am working with my players and am happy to work them them. This issue is not important .

Diego Costa

About this issue, we want to thank him for what he did with this club. We wish him all the best for the future.

Bakayoko accident

He is fit, it was a minor accident yesterday and is available for Stoke.

Injury news

All players are available for tomorrow apart from Drinkwater who is continuing to work to recover.

Conte is here

Let’s begin.

Poll

Our man Oliver Harbord is ready

Diego Costa nears transfer to Atletico

We have a feeling this man will be a main talking point today.

The striker has agreed a move back to Atletico Madrid, with only a medical to complete.

There’s no doubt Costa has been a controversial character in his time in England, but how many of them can you remember?

Key talking points

• Diego Costa’s Atletico Madrid move
• Eden Hazard to start?
• David Luiz’s replacement
• Kurt Zouma’s progress at Stoke
• The win over Forest - Musonda and Ampadu

Welcome

Hello and thanks for joining us on a sunny afternoon in West London. Antonio Conte is due shortly, so stick with us!