Conte ready for aerial threat of Carroll

Antonio Conte says Chelsea are making plans to deal with the aerial threat posed by West Ham striker Andy Carroll when the two sides meet on Monday, but are mindful of not disrupting their own style.

The powerful England striker has scored four goals in his past four appearances and five goals in his past eight.

“For sure Andy Carroll is a really good player, very strong physically and we must pay good attention,” Blues boss Conte said.

“We are preparing different solutions to try to limit the strength of our opponents but it is important for us to play our football, with our philosophy to try to play, to try to score and defend very well with high intensity.”

Carroll’s strength in the air and as a target man will ask different questions than those posed by a Hammers line-up missing Carroll that beat Chelsea in this season’s EFL Cup.

Conte added: “I think that we must pay attention in the whole squad and team because in the cup they beat us.

“The result wasn’t good. For sure we want to take three points in this game. It is a difficult game because we all know the difficulty in this type of game – a derby against West Ham.

“We are preparing very well in the right way with the right commitment and focus.

“It will be tough. It will be pressure, positive or negative pressure, but we are ready to to play this game and to try to do better than the last game.”