Antonio Conte urges Michy Batshuayi patience

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has warned that the club need to be patient with striker Michy Batshuayi.

The 23-year-old is yet to make a Premier League start for the Blues following his £33m summer move from Marseille, with the form of Diego Costa limiting him to 10 appearances off the bench.

Batshuayi is expected to start in the suspended Costa's absence against Bournemouth on Boxing Day, though, and Conte warned that he is likely to need time to adapt to the league.

"Michy is working very well, but we must have patience to try to improve him," he told reporters.

"It is not easy to arrive in this league and to play, especially if you are a young player arriving in a new country. It is difficult to adapt as the league is very tough, very physical."

Batshuayi has been linked with a loan move away from Stamford Bridge in January, although Conte is reportedly planning to block any exit for the striker.