Premiership leaders Chelsea entertain Bournemouth on Boxing Day and Blues boss Antonio Conte has been very complimentary over Cherries manager Eddie Howe.

"Eddie Howe is a really good manager, very young and doing very well with Bournemouth," says Blues boss Antonio Conte.

"I like him and have great respect for him. I wish him a good career, a top career. If he continues in this way he can become a manager of a great team. I have studied Bournemouth and they are a good team with good organisation. They always try to play from the back and put on good pressure."

Defender Nathan Ake has impressed during a loan spell with the Cherries from Chelsea but will not be playing on Monday.

"He is playing well with Bournemouth, he is having a fantastic experience and improving a lot," added Conte.