Conte prepared to drop others after Luiz axe

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Antonio Conte says he will not hesitate to drop other Chelsea players if he feels they are under-performing.

The Blues boss axed David Luiz for Sunday’s 1-0 win against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Conte insisted the decision was tactical and not because of a row between the pair.

And he said: “This can happen to any one of my players if I see they are not in good form. It’s normal.”

Andreas Christensen replaced Luiz at the heart of the Chelsea defence and impressed as the champions secured victory courtesy of Alvaro Morata’s second-half header.

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“It’s very simple. The coach has to make the best decision for the team and the best decision for the team was to play with Christensen,” Conte said.

“I have to make important decisions. I did this and I think Christensen played a massive game.

“I have a squad with 16 senior players and five young players. I have to make the best decision for the team and I try to do this.

“I must make the best decision for the club, not a single player.”