BE YOU his title hopes on resurgent Belgian
BOSS AITOR RIGHT TO SAY NO WAY, JOSE
TONY STENSON important to be in good form. I hope to maintain this form for all the season.”
Chelsea travel to the north east to face Middlesbrough this afternoon having lost just twice in 11 Premier League outings.
They are certainly in the title hunt and Conte wants Hazard to stay focused in order t o spearhead t he Stamford Bridge bid.
He said: “It is important he continues to work very hard.
“I have said nothing special to Eden except to tell him and others that I like to see my players involved in the project when we are playing.
“You can see Eden is always involved in the game
“He is always a point of reference for his team-mates.
“It’s great for his team-mates to see that if they want to pass the ball to him, he is always in the right position to receive. It’s important.
“Eden is a player that can be decisive in a game.
“But we also have Diego Costa, Pedro and Willian. We have a number of players that can be decisive in matches. “It’s important to put these players in the best position for their talent and for me it’s important to see. “Eden is playing well and I think he’s enjoying it very much. It’s important to continue in this way.” Conte al s o had s pecial praise for Cesar Azpilicueta – another player who struggled in the final months of the second Mourinho era. Constantly played out of position at l eft- back, the Spain star was unable to produce his best form on a regular basis during the last campaign. Now playing on the right-hand side of the defence, Azpilicueta is a player reborn.
Conte said: “Azpi is a fantastic player. He can play different roles but I think the position that he’s playing now is perfect for him.
“He’s playing very well, he’s fast, has good technique and is clever.”
Chelsea changed to a 3-4-3 system after being bowled over by Liverpool and Arsenal and have not looked back since.
Five games, five wins, 16 goals scored and none conceded.
Conte said: “When you arrive at the point where every game you concede goals and chances, you have to change something.
“I wanted to give more balance offensively and defensively. This happened. I see that the players enjoy this type of football.”
Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has announced he is to leave New York City FC and Conte has not ruled out a return to London – but did not rule him in either. The former Blues star claims he wants to play on despite being 38, and then possibly go into coaching.
Conte said: “Frank has been a fantastic player for Chelsea. He won a lot with this team. “But I don’t know what his future will be. “I have great respect for him. “For me, it’s very difficult to reply to the question when the question starts with the word, ‘If ’. It is always important to know for sure.” AITOR KARANKA insists he has no regrets about rejecting the chance to be Chelsea’s No.2 under Jose Mourinho.
Three years have passed since he was offered the role and the Spaniard is now established as a manager in his own right at Middlesbrough – while his old boss at Real Madrid has realised his ambition of taking charge of Manchester United.
Karanka’s side face Chelsea today at The Riverside as Antonio Conte continues his rebuilding job at Stamford Bridge following the end of Mourinho’s second spell there.
And the Middlesbrough boss, who a week ago marked the third anniversary of his appointment on Teesside, said: “When we left Real Madrid, Jose told me to go with him to Chelsea.
“But at that time I thought I wasn’t going to be as useful to him as I was at Real because there I knew the club, the language, the media, the league, everything.
“Jose always wants an assistant and I told him, ‘Thank you’, because he had never offered an assistant the chance to go with him and, for me, it was amazing.
“We spoke but I said, ‘For me, the time to be a coach has arrived’. After three years working with Jose, I had learned from him.
“Of course, I have no regrets. I knew one day I would have my chance and my chance arrived three or four months later.
“Jose said he was really pleased because he thought I was ready. It was a normal conversation between friends – we speak often.’’
Boro went into the international break on the back of a 1-1 draw away to Manchester City.
Former Barcelona and Man United keeper Victor Valdes was at his best during that game and his display went some way to silence those who questioned his early-season form.
Karanka said: “One or two months ago, I said I trusted him – and I trust him the same now.
“When I called him to come here in the summer I knew it was going to be difficult for him.
“But, calling someone like Victor Valdes, I knew what a big player and big character he is.’’
CLIVE HETHERINGTON