We enjoy the game on the TV, but it’s important to be focused on our game. We know that, tomorrow, it’ll be a good game. We face a team well-organised with a good manager.
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“It’s important to look at ourselves and not to look at others. But remember, when we started in that first year at Juventus, it wasn’t so”.
“I think also the coach must improve his players. The players that remained in Cobham worked very hard, and the players that came back are fit”.
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.
However, Conte has told that the two new boys are unlikely to start on Sunday.
He pointed to the example of Leonardo Bonucci, who grew as a player under Conte at Juventus and said that, at 29, Luiz was at “a fantastic age to become one of the best defenders in the world”.
“For this reason, I think the chance to play at the start is not high”.
Chelsea splashed out £34million on the centre-back on transfer deadline day, just two years after selling him to Paris Saint-Germain for £50m.
Blues boss Antonio Conte has been known to prefer a back 3 in his stints as Juventus and Italy manager, sparking speculation that the signing of Luiz might see a back 3 implemented at Chelsea. For this reason, we bought David Luiz.
“I must be honest, we bought Luiz because we need a centre-back”, Conte added. It’s important. If it happens that, during a game, a player loses concentration, I don’t like this. Good technique, good personality like Leonardo Bonucci and he likes to play football. I put my sweat into my players.
“We know that David can improve in defensive situations, but it’s good and I’m very happy he stays here”. I tell you this from my experience as a footballer. But within a couple of years Conte turned them into one of the best defensive units in the world.
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But Conte has vowed to work on his weaknesses every single day in training to help transform him into one of the world’s best. I am seeing great commitment from him. This is a great opportunity for him – and for us – to improve. “I’m very pleased for this”. “He’s a positive guy”, Conte said. Sometimes you want to improve your players only by talking.
