Antonio Conte says Chelsea “must fight to the end” to win the Premier League this season.
The former Juventus Coach took over the English club after leaving Italy, and was officially presented to the media today.
“We’ve started to work on different aspects and I think that every manager has a known method, his own philosophy and idea of football,” Conte explained.
Antonio Conte says Chelsea “must fight to the end” to win the Premier League this season.
The former Juventus Coach took over the English club after leaving Italy, and was officially presented to the media today.
“We’ve started to work on different aspects and I think that every manager has a known method, his own philosophy and idea of football,” Conte explained.
“I want to transfer my ideas and methods to my players. I think it’s important to work on different aspects, tactical, technical, physical and also mentality to help us overcome difficulty during training sessions or during the game.
“I know I have players ready to fight to play good football, to transfer our passion and emotion to our fans.
“I think that’s the most important thing: win or lose, if we are able to transfer our passion and enthusiasm to the fans it’s a great victory for me and for the players.
“Pressure for me is not important because I was born with pressure. When you’re a player or the manager of a great club you must play to win, to win the title or to fight to the end with the other clubs to reach your targets.
“I know this League is very, very difficult because there are six or teams that can win the title so that excites me.
“We know that this year it won’t be easy for us, because if we think that last season [we finished in] 10th position, last season was a bad season.
“We all know that. Me, the players, the club, we must think about the present, work very hard every day, every week, every month to do something important for us, the club, but above all the fans.
“The fans need to see team which is ready to fight until the end to compete with the other teams.
“Only one team wins the title, but we must stay there at the end of the season to fight for the title. Chelsea belong in the Champions League so we have to stay up there.
“I know that when I arrived at Juventus it was after two seventh-placed finishes and then we built something fantastic because we won the title in the first year, then the second, and the third.
“Also the experience with the national team was fantastic but also very, very difficult because you have great pressure from the media and the whole country who are following you and watching what you do.
“I think this is a great challenge, it’s the right moment for me to arrive in England. It’s very, very tough but I like that, I like the challenge and to prove myself and I’m sure that together we can achieve great satisfaction this season.
“I also hope that we’re slightly underrated but I hope can surprise people, that there’s a small flame flickering that can eventually grow into a blazing inferno.”
Conte is well-known for his passionate displays on the touchline, and was asked whether that would continue in England.
“Yes, that’s how I am. I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing, but I have great passion for football, for my team and for my work.
“I love to be with my players, to win with them, to lose with them – hopefully not too much – but yeah that’s how I am, I have great passion and I want to transfer my passion to my players.
“Also to my fans because I suffer during the game, and I want my players to see that – and also the fans to see that – because we work very hard during the week to reach our target.
“In the Premier League it’s very physical, there’s high intensity compared to other tournaments. If you want to win you have to play good, attractive football but also you must have good physical condition.
“If you have great talent, great organisation and you also run more then I think you have more chance to win, so that’s why I like to work on all aspects.
“I think in Italy they know my method well and how I work, I try to bring my methodology and ideas. I’m sure it’s one of the reasons the club brought me in.
“I’m very happy to have been chosen, and I hope my players and my club can return to the top.
“It’s very difficult to do well in England, because whereas elsewhere it’s one, two, or three teams [competing for the title] in England it’s six or seven and Leicester last year are good example of how competitive it is.”
Conte joins Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger in England, is the Premier League a division of “super coaches”?
“I think that in this League there are many, many players with great talent, fantastic players, and also there are good managers and I think that’s very important for the League.
“For me this situation is fantastic because it’s a great challenge encountering great managersand I’m very happy to compete with them.
“But in this tournament it’s not a challenge between managers, it’s between great teams, great players and that’s the most important thing.
“There are great managers but I think the most important thing when there’s a game with Chelsea, United, City are the teams.”
Claudio Ranieri guided Leicester to the title last season, and the new Chelsea boss will call his compatriot for advice about England.
“Honestly haven’t had time, I was in Montpellier a week ago so I was focused on the national team and our fantastic run.
“I will call Ranieri, first and foremost because he’s a lovely man but I will ask him for advice.”