Conte mulls options without Costa, Kante

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte concedes he must work hard to “find the solution” as the Premier League leaders prepare to host Bournemouth without Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante.
Top scorer Costa and midfield enforcer Kante collected their fifth bookings of the campaign in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace – where the Spain international headed home his 13th league goal of the season – to be ruled out of the Boxing Day match at Stamford Bridge.
Both men have been mainstays of the Blues’ 11-match winning run that has established a six-point advantage over Liverpool at the summit and their absence leaves Conte with much to ponder.
“For sure, they are two important players for us, this is clear,” he told a pre-match news conference.
“But we are working very well this week to try to find the solution to play good football and continue to win and take the three points
“We know that against Bournemouth it won’t be easy because it is a very good team with great organisation.
“I have four days to evaluate the situation and to try to find the best solution for the team.”
Conte granted his players three days off this week, with Costa and Kante earning an additional 24 hours of recuperation, and the former Italy boss is keen to see some of his squad players take the chance to show their worth.