Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, says it is a pity Kevin De Bruyne will be on the opposing team in their crunch trip to take on Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Belgian was sold to Wolfsburg by current Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, in 2014 before his move to the Etihad one year later.
Conte’s side have won seven consecutive top-flight matches and sit one point clear of Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s City at the top of the table ahead of the game.
De Bruyne is one of Guardiola’s key players having started in 10 of their 13 top-flight games this season and the Chelsea boss agreed that his team had sold him too early back in 2014.
“De Bruyne played with Chelsea and I think he is a really great player,” Conte said at his pre-match media conference when asked if the Blues had let him go prematurely. It is a pity that now he is playing for another team.
“For sure this is the case because he is a fantastic player, but now he plays with Manchester City. I wish him the best – after our game.”
Conte is hoping to be able to name another unchanged team against Chelsea’s title rivals, but has to check on a couple of unknown squad members before being sure.
He continued: “No injuries at the moment, we have to check on the physical condition of one or two players and then decide the line-up tomorrow. I prefer to keep this [the names] secret.
“I’m pleased for all the players that are playing. Those on the bench understand. There is the right atmosphere.
“I think tomorrow it’s a really tough game. It is a great test for us, for our formation, to continue this way.”
