Chelsea boss Antonio Conte started work on 'Plan B' long before Diego Costa's suspension, says Pat Nevin

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will have been
working on a 'Plan B' long before Diego Costa's
suspension, according to Pat Nevin.
Costa has been key to Chelsea's rise this term,
scoring 13 goals in 17 top-flight appearances
to help the Blues climb to the top of the table.
But the Spaniard is set to miss the Boxing Day
clash against Bournemouth, having incurred a
one-game ban for accumulating five bookings .
The 28-year-old's absence is set to be keenly
felt as Conte has rarely strayed from his
preferred starting line up since switching to a
3-4-3 system.
Nevin believes Michy Batshuayi is the "clear
favourite" to be given an opportunity to lead the
line against the Cherries, having struggled for
game time during the first half of the season.
But the former Blues winger is adamant Conte
will have plenty of options at his disposal with
his players likely to have already been drilled
on how to replace Costa.
"The manager would have worked hard on the
training ground long before the suspension
knowing it was always likely to happen
eventually," Nevin told the club's official
website.
"There will certainly be a plan B and maybe a
C, D, E and F.
"There is of course young Dominic Solanke but
remember the likes of Pedro and Eden Hazard
are capable of playing through the middle and
terrorising big defenders.
"Both have done it before and both would
absolutely relish the opportunity.
"Maybe Conte will have found out that Victor
Moses has the ability to do that central role as
well," he added.
Chelsea are guaranteed to be six points clear
on Christmas Day after Liverpool beat Everton
in last night's Merseyside derby.
And the Blues are set to have a fitness
advantage over their title rivals during the
festive period courtesy of more rest days
between now and New Year.