Chelsea forward Pedro will return to Antonio Conte's squad for the trip to Stoke on Saturday, while Tiémoué Bakayoko is available despite being involved in a car accident on Thursday.
Bakayoko, the midfield summer signing from Monaco, was in a minor car crash on his way home from Chelsea's training complex on Thursday, according to ESPN. Conte confirmed that it would not affect the Frenchman's involvement in Saturday's game at the Bet365 Stadium.
Conte will also have Pedro, the Spanish forward, available to him, as well as PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard. "All the players are available apart from [Danny] Drinkwater," the Italian coach said.
The main talk in west London over the past few days has been about a striker who will not be available to Conte in a Chelsea shirt again this season. Diego Costa completed his acrimonious departure from Stamford Bridge on Thursday, moving to Atlético Madrid in a deal said to be worth £53 million (about $72 million).
Speaking to reporters on his way to Madrid, Costa said he had "no grudge" toward Conte, and the coach echoed the sentiment.
"We want to thank him for what he did with this club. We wish him all the best for the future," Conte said. "Don't forget, we won together last season. I repeat: For sure we want to thank him for his effort, not only last season but in the period that he played for Chelsea."
Conte had texted Costa to tell the Spaniard that he was not in his plans for the future at Chelsea, with Álvaro Morata signed from Real Madrid in the summer as Costa's replacement.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
