Chelsea boss Antonio Conte says Eden Hazard could play as a No9 this season.

Conte insists they won't panic having lost Diego Costa to Atletico Madrid.

He said, “For me, the No.9 is very ­important ­because it's a point of ­reference for our play. But I think last season Costa played well, and this ­season we changed striker.

“Now we have Alvaro and Michy Batshuayi, but don't forget I have ­another option – Eden Hazard.

“Last season he played No.9 twice, but I ask ­specific work from my strikers.

“We're talking two ­players who are very strong, two really good players.

“I think for Alvaro, it's the right time to be the striker in a great team. Don't ­forget his previous ­experiences with Juventus and Real Madrid. He played but not every game, not regularly, for this reason he is at the right age to have this responsibility."