Having led his first training with the club yesterday, Antonio Conte was front and center today as he was unveiled to the press in his first conference as manager of Chelsea Football Club. Here is what we took away from it.
Three or four in the back? Anything is possible:
Having employed a three in the back, two in the front ideology while leading Juventus and Italy, it seems as if we might not be seeing that from Conte at Chelsea. When asked about it, he replied saying “usually when I arrive in a new team, I will use it. Three at the back, four at the back… It’s not important. What’s important is the right spirit of the team and good organization.” Between John Terry, who we will get to later, Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kurt Zouma and Baba Rahman, Chelsea have the framework of a defense, but continue to be active on the transfer markets with rumors linking the London outfit to Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, as Conte looks to add talent.
The players have to be prepared to work hard:
Already billing this as “the hardest summer of their lives” for players participating in preseason, Antonio Conte preached that same work ethic at this press conference, coming out of the gates saying “I want my players to fight for the shirt.” At times last season, it seemed as if the players ran the club and not Jose Mourinho or Guus Hiddink, but it is evident that Conte is here to squash that stigma and take control of the team.
Chelsea are active in the transfer market right now:
With Michy Batshuayi representing the clubs only signing of the summer thus far, but Chelsea having been linked to talents such has N’Golo Kante, Radja Nainggolan, Alvaro Morata, Kalidou Koulibaly, Antonio Candreva and a heap of other players, the club remains active in the transfer market. In the presser, Conte acknowledged the clubs activity, but gave no hints as to who the club might look to acquire, saying “it’s not right to say names, because players are in other teams and I don’t like others speaking about mine.”
Conte thinking top four or better, with eyes on the Champions League:
From the get-go, Conte seems to have high expectations for Chelsea with one season out of the Champions League proving to be too much, as he made clear that “we must fight for the title, we belong in the Champions League and we must stay there. Chelsea belong in the Champions League.” Clearly having faith in the side, Conte followed that up by saying “I hope we can surprise people, that there is a small flame flickering that can grow into a blazing inferno.” Clearly expectations are set, now we see if Conte can guide his players to the promise land.
John Terry will still play an important role:
Being the captain of the side, but also barely re-signing with the side, John Terry’s contract situation was an ongoing saga for much of last season, with many believing that last season would be his last. Terry earned a contract extension and now Conte seems to factor him highly in his plans for next season, giving some idea as to what the defense will look like. “John Terry is captain of this team. He is a great player with a great personality and charisma. He knows the club,” Conte said.
Conte will begin his preseason campaign with the club on Saturday, July 16 as Chelsea prepare to take on Rapid Vienna at the Allianz Stadion at 5 p.m. GMT.
