We’re in recovery position
CONTE: Italian mentality for it.” Fingers have been pointed this time round at the harsh training regime implemented by Antonio Conte.
And while Fabregas used his interview on BBC’s Premier League Show to refute that point blank, he did admit the “Italian” fi xation with fi tness is draining with a congested fi xture schedule.
“When you have the whole week to train, his methods and those of the fi tness coach have a [ certain] mentality,” said Fabregas. “It is a very Italian mentality – we have to run and be fi t and recover well.
“But this year, because of the Champions League, we are not having that much time because every three days you are playing.
“You cannot play on the Wednesday and the Saturday and then the Thursday. You cannot run – it’s impossible.
“You need to recover and get back well for the weekend.”
Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge is hardly likely to soothe tensions around the current regime, especially as Fabregas freely admits his best times as a player came under the Portuguese.
“With Mourinho I had an incredible year in my fi rst season – it was one of the best seasons of my career,” he said.
“We still talk today. He is probably the manager that I have had the best feeling and connection for. Apart from Arsene Wenger, the one I have the most contact with is Jose.” REPORTS SERGIO AGUERO may have carved his name into Manchester City’s record books, but he will not be totally satisfi ed until the club have won the Champions League.
The Argentina striker says individual honours are fi ne but it is team success that ultimately defi nes a player’s career. And he believes if Pep Guardiola’s free- scoring side can maintain their form, they can fi nally become kings of Europe this season.
Aguero’s mission statement on joining City in 2011 was to win Europe’s top club competition and now, after six seasons of trying and failing, he believes they have the squad and the manager to do it.
Their impressive 4- 2 win over Serie A leaders Napoli – the fi rst by an English club in the intimidating San Paulo stadium – served to underline the confi dence and belief in Guardiola’s squad that they are now the real deal, especially with Real Madrid and Barcelona no longer the irrepressible forces they once were.
Aguero delivered a ‘ thank you’ speech to his team- mates and City’s coaching staff in the dressing room after claiming the club’s all- time scoring record in Naples, then talked with quiet confi dence about the bigger picture.
“Can we win the Champions League? It’s a diffi cult question. It’s not easy but I hope we can,” he said. “I believe we have a great team – the best since I’ve been here.
“The squad has been good every year I’ve been here but I know this year we are very good because the new manager and the new players have come. This squad is impressive.
“Winning in Naples was a good step for the future. Napoli are a great team – one of the strongest rivals I have faced. But all I can say is that we are playing well and it was a big step for us.
“The season has only been going two and a half months or so and there’s still a long way to go. Individually and collectively, we have started very well, but we have to continue like that because there are a lot of matches in English football and we have to be in good physical shape for what is to come.”
Aguero’s goal against Napoli was his 178th for City and took him past pre- war hero Eric Brook’s mark that had stood for 78 years.
It was fi tting the moment came in the iconic stadium in the city where Diego Maradona, his