Bailly says pal De Gea is Conte pointing the finger top of the stops but not at himself
ERIC IDOL: Bailly is a big hit ERIC BAILLY has praised the “best goalkeeper in the world” for showing that Manchester United can get their hands on even more silverware this season. Red Devils No.1 David de Gea was outstanding as boss Jose Mourinho guided United to a Europa League and League Cup double in his first season in charge at Old Trafford. And defender Bailly – Mourinho’s first signing for £30million from Villarreal – is convinced that United are on target for winning trophies again with De Gea behind an undefeated run of seven Premier League games and six clean sheets.
He said: “It is a good thing for us to have, in my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the world. That gives us so much more confidence going into a match.
“David is very, very important for everything we do.
“The goalkeeper instils confidence, not just in the defenders but in the whole team.”
Bailly believes that winning trophies last season has increased the desire to capture more this time around.
He added: “It’s a huge motivation to win even more.
“A player’s target is always to win trophies.
“I am full of dreams and I think that we will achieve those targets.”
STEVE MILLAR GOT THE BLUES: Morata CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte will call his players together after the international break and demand they take a long look at themselves.
He must include himself when he tries to figure out why his side were outplayed and outfought in their most recent league defeat by Manchester City.
He was without defender David Luiz and lost striker Alvaro Morata (left) early with hamstring trouble. But it does not mask the fact Chelsea were second best and have only four points from four home games. Conte was gracious in praising City but should admit he got it wrong, including the decision to replace Morata with Willian, leaving recognised striker Michy Batshuayi on the bench.
A few days earlier Batshuayi was their Champions League hero, scoring the winner at Atletico Madrid and was bouncing with confidence.
Conte said: “I think we have to look at ourselves. We have to try to put everything in every game. Everything.
“It was a simple tactical decision. I thought Willian with Hazard was a good decision, to try to exploit the space behind their defenders.
“In seven games we played with Arsenal, City, Tottenham and also Everton, I think we have the points we deserve.”
TONY STENSON