Conte: I’ll sort out defence
BOSS IN VOW TO CURE BACK PAIN
ANTONIO CONTE has spent most of this week working under the gaze of Roman Abramovich.
The Chelsea owner spent three days at the club’s Cobham training ground as his head coach attempted to solve his side’s defensive crisis.
Conte insists there is no quick fix, admitting his side have big problems.
And the Italian (below) – frustrated at Chelsea’s failure to land his top defensive targets in August – has made it clear it will require patience to wipe out the after-effects of last season’s disastrous title defence.
Conte said: “We must solve a big problem. The problem is that we concede a lot of goals and we are working to solve this problem.
“We are working at it, but it’s not easy when you start a new season with a new team and transfer all your ideas across.
“We finished in 10th place last season, and that means you have problems.
“In this situation it’s important to understand also that we haven’t got a magic wand to change the situation in ® two, three, four months.” Conte’s immediate concern is that he will again be forced to cope without skipper John Terry at Hull today. The Italian was keen to have the veteran back, but his absence with an ankle problem means a reprieve for under-pressure Gary Cahill. But Conte refuses to point the finger at individuals. He added: “This team has talent. But with talent, you must add running, intensity, sacrifice, wanting to win the ball when you lose it. “We are working very hard on these aspects to improve them. It’s important to understand and find very quickly the right way. “I know with my experience as a footballer and a manager you have to have a bit of patience to continue to work, to improve, to work very hard and find the right way to go into the situation and solve things. “It won’t be easy. But I’m confident I have a group of players who want to work and have the right commitment.”