Conte on Costa, Cuadrado, transfers, Watford and beating West Ham
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte spoke about a number of issues at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Blues’ trip to face Watford. Here’s a selection of what the Italian had to say.
On Watford
“We know that it is not an easy game, because Watford are a solid team, with good players. The two strikers [Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo] are very strong, they play together very well.
“We must pay a lot of attention, because it is a dangerous game for us. At this moment, we have to send the right message. We need that for the confidence, for the work in the training session.
“For this reason it’s important to face this game with the right intensity, with the right concentration, [and stay] very focused.”
On his celebrations against West Ham
“I am a passionate man. I was the same when I started this new career, and when I was Juventus coach and national team coach.
“I live the game with my players. Also sometimes when you score an important goal, and you win, you can celebrate. I’m a passionate man and for this reason I am not able to keep my emotions.”
On Chelsea’s will to win
“Against West Ham, we played a good game, with good intensity and great concentration. There was a great will to win, and this I like a lot.
“I think that we have to maintain this mentality, this want to win. It’s important to continue that for a good season.”
On Diego Costa
“We all know Diego, and Diego is a passionate footballer. Sometimes it can seem that he’s always on the edge when he plays but I think that Diego is a good guy, a good player, and he puts his passion in the football when he plays.
“I’m happy for his attitude, for his behaviour. We know that he must pay attention in all situations, because sometimes when many people or players talk about the one player, it’s very difficult for that player to be relaxed because you know you are always the centre of attention. But it’s football.”
On whether Costa can learn from Conte’s passion and previous disciplinary issues
“We are both passionate, it’s true. I risked in my past sometimes to be banned. Can I talk to him? I have to say calm to me before I do to the players!
“But I think when you show passion for football it’s fantastic, because football is passion. If you have this, every day you can work very well.
“At Chelsea they are starting to know about this part of me. I think that when you prepare the game, when you work a lot, you put in your work a lot of your time, and you work very hard, I think that sometimes it’s good to show your passion.”
On his relationship with Watford boss Walter Mazzari
“I saw him in the [pre-season Premier League] coaches’ meeting. I spoke with him about this new experience. It’s a great challenge also for him. I saw him very focused about this experience.
“When we were in the Italian championship, we fought for the title, Juventus against Napoli. When you are fighting for the title, everyone is for his club. But the relationship is very normal. I have a great respect for him and his work. I think he’s a good manager.”
On the differences between him and Mazzari
“I think every manager has his own idea of football. For this reason I think every manager is different from each other. Not only me and Mazzari, but me and the others and Mazzari and the others.
“Every coach bring his idea of football. I study for my own ideas and the other managers study for their own idea.”
On incoming transfers
“It’s very difficult to speak about transfer policy before the game. It’s important to speak about the players who are with the club.
“We need to sign some players [and] we are working together with the club to find the right solution to improve Chelsea.”
On his first Premier League game
“It’s a different experience, it’s a new challenge, a new chapter for me – a new country with a different habit, different atmosphere. It’s fantastic to discover this situation.
“I’m very happy also for the fans – the welcome for me was fantastic. I hope to repay them with a great season.”
On Juan Cuadrado’s future
“The situation must become more clear about his position. Now he’s Chelsea’s player. Today he was training with us.”
