CONTE READY TO IGNITE CHELSEA
AS ANTONIO Conte, the 10th Chelsea manager of the Roman Abramovich era, spoke of passion and fire, of suffering and hard work, there was a glimpse of Italian steel.
His pride and enthusiasm at the chance to manage in the Premier League, his appetite to “breathe the grass” of club football once again after two years as Italy boss, did not mask a very clear message.
Last season’s debacle at Stamford Bridge was not just bad, it was “very, very bad” and such a gloomy experience leaves a lingering sadness which must be driven out.
“From last season we can learn a lot,” said Conte. “It is not easy but you can restart and find a new way.
“It is very strange to win the title and then, only one year later, you are out of the Europa League and the Champions League. The club don’t like this. Nor do the players because history says in the Abramovich era Chelsea are always in the Champions League.
“It is important to get back very soon, to fight for the title, to be there at the end of the season. It is important to be back in the Champions League. Chelsea is a great club and a great club must play in the Champions League.”
Conte has been satisfied with the attitude displayed in his first training sessions but wants more signings.
Michy Batshuayi, a £32 million (R608m) striker from Marseilles, is Chelsea’s only summer recruit to date, although they are also closing in on Leicester midfielder N’Golo Kante.
“Some might think Chelsea are not favourites for the title and I think they can be right after last season,” said Conte.
“Also, you can see that we have signed only Batshuayi. But we are ready. We know the team needs to reinforce. In the coming days we can buy one, two, three, I don’t know how many players.
“We can reach our target to reinforce the team and go closer to the teams that seem to be higher in the table than Chelsea. It is not easy because there are teams with a lot of money to invest in the market.
“The Premier League is very competitive. We are underrated and we might slip under the radar but I hope there is a small flame flickering here that can hopefully grow into a blazing inferno.”
Conte called Carlo Ancelotti on Wednesday and plans to call Claudio Ranieri for further advice from fellow Italians familiar with the demands of Abramovich.
“I am not afraid if the club sack me,” said Conte. As for pressure, he said: “I was born with pressure.”
He confirmed that John Terry would be his captain but would not reveal whether he planned to play with a back three as he often did with Juventus and Italy.
“John Terry is captain of this team. He is a great player with a great personality and charisma. He knows the club. We take all decisions together with the club and I am very happy John signed,” Conte said.
“The manager is like a tailor who must make the best dress for the team. You have to respect the characteristics of the players. Three at the back or four at the back is not important.”
Spirit, physical condition and tactical organisation, however, are vital and hard graft is central to his philosophy. “I am a worker,” said Conte. “I know only this road to win. I know only this verb: work, work, work. The players are ready to work and fight.
“They know last season was very, very bad. Not bad. Very, very bad. Every single player knows this and wants to change the story. They want to remove the past.
“For us the most important thing is to concentrate in the present, to work and to build a great future. To work with passion and enthusiasm and transfer this to our fans.”
With his obsessive nature and intense approach, Conte has drawn comparisons with “The Special One”, former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
“There are certain managers who are winners, on that I would agree with you,” said Conte.
“Some coaches have a winning mentality besides their working methods and philosophies. There are winners in football, but not everyone has that in them. Those who do are indeed special.” – Daily Mail