Chelsea finished 10th in the Premier League table after a awful defence of their title and the Italian coach has insisted he will do his best to improve the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Willian, the club’s reigning Player of the Year. It is nice for a manager to have faith in his squad, but there is a solid argument to be made that Hazard’s attitude to a period of adversity and turbulence at Chelsea last season summed up that he is physiologically weak and unreliable. I think that these players can still improve a lot with work.
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“We must think about the present”, Conte said in the Harris Suite at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s obviously hard for any young players because it’s such a big team and there are so many big players there”, said the 21-year-old – who turned down a contract offer to stay with the Premier League giants.
Hazard was significantly off the pace compared to the previous title-winning season, when he won numerous individual accolades, though the Belgium star did end the term with four goals in his final five matches.
However, the Swans will seek to exact maximum profit from the sale of the player they acquired on a free transfer last season.
And the former Juventus boss confirmed he played a role in that decision, adding: “All the decisions we take together – me, the club…” It is very tactical which is good for us, because as players you need to have direction and know what to do with and without the ball.
Conte, whose animated behaviour on the touchline was one of the more memorable features of the Euro, refused to compare himself to Mourinho. He is a fantastic player, a player with a fundamental importance and there is no problem.
New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte: “If I don’t get respect, you are asking for trouble, for problems”.
Chelsea started the Antonio Conte era with a disappointing 2-0 pre-season friendly defeat at Rapid Vienna on Saturday, July 16, at the Aliianz Stadium, Vienna.
“In these two days I saw players with the right attitude and a great will to fight for this shirt. With great organisation, a great physical condition we can have a good season”.
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“I’m very happy because I found a right attitude in Cobham (Chelsea’s Surrey training base)”.
