Chelsea striker picks up foot injury on international duty
Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed Michy Batshuayi has returned to Chelsea for further assessment after picking up a foot injury at the start of the week.
Batshuayi was named in Belgium’s 25-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Mexico and Friday but will take no part in either match, instead continuing his recovery at Cobham.
Martinez revealed that the 24-year-old joined up with the national team with the injury and did not suffer the problem in training with the Red Devils.
“When Michy arrived, he was in pain so he is out of the two matches,” Martinez told a press conference on Thursday. “He has left for Chelsea.”
Best PL mins per goal record since the start of the 16/17 season (5+ goals):
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) November 9, 2017
1⃣M. Batshuayi - 62.1
2⃣G. Jesus - 89.6
3⃣H. Kane - 91.9
4⃣A. Morata - 103.1
5⃣O. Giroud - 105.4 pic.twitter.com/eKEKEDqobF
The news will come as concern to Chelsea boss Antonio Conte after failing to sign another striker over the summer.
Depending on how long Batshuayi is sidelined for, it will put additional pressure on Alvaro Morata to continue scoring for Chelsea.
Batshuayi has never fully convinced under Conte despite boosting a fine scoring record when called upon.
In fact, of Premier League players that have scored at least five goals since the start of last season, Batshuayi has the best minutes per goal record (1 every 62.1 minutes).
