AFC Bournemouth: Simon Francis expects the unexpected from Chelsea with Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante absent

SIMON Francis is adamant the absence of
suspended duo Diego Costa and N'Golo Kante will
not hit Chelsea hard and insists Cherries must be
wary of the "unexpected" qualities of their potential
replacements on Boxing Day.
Spain striker Costa is the top flight's leading scorer
with 13 goals having started every league game this
term, while ex-Leicester City lynchpin Kante is
ranked in the Premier League's top five players for
tackles and interceptions.
Neither player is available for the clash with
Cherries at Stamford Bridge having both picked up
their fifth bookings of the season against Crystal
Palace on Saturday.
Blues boss Antonio Conte could turn to sparsely-
used £33million summer signing Michy Batshuayi to
replace Costa, while ex-Arsenal playmaker Cesc
Fabregas could take over from Kante in the anchor
role.
Reflecting on the absences of the Chelsea duo,
skipper Francis told the Daily Echo: "Costa has
been huge for them this season given the goals he
has chipped in with and I'd say he's the best striker
in the Premier League.
"Kante has been the buy of the season. Whoever
got him in the summer was going to see a big
difference in their team and he's certainly provided
that since Chelsea have hit form.
"He's been excellent and that's two key players
they are missing. Having said that, they have a
brilliant squad. They have strength in depth and
whoever they bring in is going to be a top player.
"We're certainly not thinking that because Costa and
Kante are out that we've got a much better chance,
because it's just not like that in the Premier League.
"If anything, we've got to be more aware because
we've seen Costa and Kante play week in, week out
so we know what they are about.
"When they bring in someone like Batshuayi who
hasn't had too much game time, you have got to be
more aware because it's the unexpected and it's
the same with Fabregas.
"He hasn't played as many games as he would
have liked but he has so much quality on the ball.
It's something we'll have to address and try and
stop him playing."
Conte's preferred 3-4-3 formation has been a
revelation this season with Victor Moses among
those to benefit, the former Wigan and Crystal
Palace man receiving rave reviews for his
performances down the right.
Defender Francis continued: "A lot of Italian teams
have played three at the back over the years and
Conte certainly did that when he was a manager in
Italy.
"Although he didn't start with that in the Premier
League, as soon as he changed to a three, it was
almost as if something clicked and Chelsea have
not looked back.
"It's interesting because it's brought out the best in
some players who you haven't seen for years.
Victor Moses has come out of nowhere and been
excellent for them, so he is another player we will
have to be aware of."