Conte expects a ‘tough’ year ahead in bid to retain Premier League crown

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said the upcoming Premier League season will be the toughest of his career as his team prepare to defend their title in an extremely competitive environment.

Conte and Chelsea will be trying to win back-to-back league titles for the first time since 2006, and the Italian is wary of the competition they will be facing from fellow title contenders Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

“There are many reasons which suggest to me that next season will be very tough, the most difficult of my career,” Conte told Chelsea website’s ahead of today’s Community Shield showdown with Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.

“In England the pressure is high. This is the strongest league in the world because there are six teams ready to fight for the title.

“Only one team can win it. “We want to try to fight for the title until the end, but it won’t be easy. We are working very well to try to do this. The pressure is always the same. I put pressure on myself and it helps me to give my best.”

Alvaro Morata, Chelsea’s newest recruit, could feature and Conte said the Spaniard could become one of the best in the world.

“Morata is a really good player who can compete with every striker,” Conte said.

“He’s a young player and my task is to help him improve and show his quality. I know he has great quality and he can become one of the best strikers in the world.”

Conte is eager for his side to begin their 2017/18 campaign off well with some silverware today as they look to avenge their FA Cup final loss to Arsenal in May, a result that denied them a league and cup double.

“It was a pity to lose the game, to lose the FA Cup final against Arsenal after a really great season for us,” Conte said.

“Now there is another game. We know very well Arsenal is a strong team. We’re waiting a game very difficult for us and want to try to start the season with a win.

“The same [for] Arsenal. I want to see a good game, for the players, for the people.”

Conte plans to stick with the formation which served Chelsea so well last term.

“After a good season you have to keep the positive things and try to change the negative things,” he said.

“One positive thing was our formation, our system. Now we are trying to continue to work in this system to try to improve.

“Every system needs to improve season by season, year by year.”

Eden Hazard (broken ankle) and Tiemoue Bakayoko (knee) are Chelsea’s only injury absentees.

Victor Moses is available before his suspension in the Premier League opener with Burnley next Saturday at Stamford Bridge.