Conte: Quit moaning

ANTONIO CONTE has told his Chelsea players to button it. Eden Hazard hit out at being ordered to play as a central striker in last Sunday’s defeat at Manchester City. Conte (left) yesterday said his reaction to the Belgian’s criticism will be kept strictly in house. But he admits he learnt the hard way at Juventus under Marcello Lippi that some things are better off said in private.

Conte said: “We won a massive game against Parma 3-1 and during

the international break after the game I was asked if I was happy with the team and with this important win.

“My stupid answer was, ‘We are winning, but I’m not happy because I’m not enjoying the role the coach gave me’.

“When I came back to Turin, it was a meeting with Lippi and all the players, and he killed me. He killed me in a bad way, not in a soft way.

“After the training, the club called me. They killed me another time, gave me a big, big fine. And then, in the next game, I didn’t play. I was on the bench.

“After that, I improved a lot. I started to think for the team and not to be selfish. I became captain of the team after that.

“When I was a player, until one point of my career, I was selfish because you only think about yourself. If you don’t play, you’re unhappy.

“You don’t think about the team. When you arrive at that point in your career, though, you start to have your mind more open.

“I’m talking about my experience. Not the others. This is the best way. I’m saying that I was selfish until one point in my career, then I became a team player with my mind.”

Conte must decide whether to bring in Olivier Giroud or Alvaro Morata to lead the line against Crystal Palace today, or stick with Hazard (right) up front.

He said: “Giroud is ready. He’s a strong player and has a lot of physicality.

“I think that, in some games, it’s right to start with him. In other games, it’s right to start with Morata. In others, it’s right to continue with Hazard as a No.9.

“If I think it’s right for the team to play in this way, it’s okay. Otherwise I can take another decision and play with a striker. I can take different decisions.

“There are three players for two places. One has to go on the bench. Then I have to decide who has to go on the bench.”