Conte: Zappacosta might adjust sooner than Drinkwater

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Antonio Conte has suggested that Davide Zappacosta might adjust to life at Chelsea quicker than Danny Drinkwater despite the latter’s Premier League appearance.

Midfielder Drinkwater, signed from Leicester on deadline day, is in Chelsea’s squad for Saturday’s game against his former club.

So too is defender Zappacosta, who was signed from Torino and previously played under Blues boss Conte for Italy.

And while Drinkwater has not played so far this season, Zappacosta is fully fit and featured for his country this week.

“Danny – we are working with him and we are trying to make him in the best physical condition,” said Conte. “It was a good buy for us and he is working well with us this week.

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“Danny is in the squad for the Leicester game but I don’t know when he will be ready to play.

“Davide played a game against Israel and it shows he is in good physical condition.

“He also worked with me with the national team and he knows very well my style of football.

“For this reason it is more simple to adapt to our style of football.”

Conte also confirmed that the fit-again Eden Hazard is in Chelsea’s squad for the Leicester game.