Eden Hazard has aimed a swipe at Jose Mourinho by insisting Antonio Conte’s man-management has improved the Chelsea dressing room after an “ugly” season.
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But as compatriot and summer arrival Fernando Llorente has already shown, it takes time to settle into life at Premier League level so an instant impact against a team with the strength of Chelsea seems less than likely. I think we have improved since he’s come here.
The Blues, Manchester United and Manchester City have each won their opening three games of the new season and the trio have been tipped to challenge for the crown that Leicester City now hold.
Even when you are 32, 33, 36. you can always improve.
“I must be honest, we have bought David Luiz because we need a centre-back”, Conte said.
The defensive duo are in line to make their Blues debuts at Swansea on Sunday and boss Conte said: “We reached two targets, two good signings for us in David Luiz and Marcos Alonso”.
Despite rating Luiz’s ability with the ball, Conte admitted he would need to improve his defensive play. He pointed to the example of Leonardo Bonucci, who grew as a player under Conte’s coaching at Juventus.
The italian manager said: “At this moment we must focus only on our game, we know against Swansea it will be very tough”.
“He’s played in England before [at Bolton and Sunderland] and for this reason he has good experience of this League”.
Chelsea have no new injuries after the global break, though Luiz and Alonso are unlikely to start against Swansea City and Kurt Zouma remains unavailable. “He can bring good personality”.
Conte worked with three of the best defenders in the world in Bonucci, Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini when he was manager of Juventus and Italy.
“Luiz is 29, it is a fantastic age for him to become one of the best defenders in the world”. I’m seeing great commitment from him. I want to work with my players to improve them. “In different positions I am available”.
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During his first spell at Chelsea from 2011 to 2014, Luiz helped the club win domestic and continental titles in the FA Cup, the Champions League and the Europa League. This time, he made sure not to see history repeat itself, going back to Paris a few days after the transfer to say his goodbyes.
