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Who’ll replace banned Costa, Kante?
- Updated: December 17, 2016
Chelsea will be without two of their most important players on Boxing Day, after both Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante picked up their fifth bookings of the season against Crystal Palace.
The pair will now be suspended for the Blues’ home game with Bournemouth on Boxing Day after receiving yellow cards in the 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, leaving boss Antonio Conte with a selection dilemma.
Here we take a look at the importance of both players – and how the Italian manager could look to cover their absence.
Diego Costa
Costa headed in his 13th Premier League goal of the season at Selhurst Park on Saturday to set Chelsea on course for their 11th straight win. That goal also means the rejuvenated Spanish striker has already passed his tally for the entirety of last season.
Conte has described Costa as his “warrior” and the top flight’s leading scorer has started every Premier League game this season. They have no like-for-like replacement.
However, Costa’s suspension may give Michy Batshuayi his chance. The £33.2million …
