Conte on Terry’s fitness, Man Utd tactics, Fabregas, youngsters, Zouma and Blues fans
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte answered questions on a range of topics at his news conference ahead of Sunday’s game with Manchester United. Here’s some of what he had to say.
On John Terry’s fitness
“John is in good shape, he trained with the team. He solved his problem with his ankle. This week he is training very well and is available for the game.”
On Jose Mourinho’s return
“He was an important manager for Chelsea – with the club and the players he wrote a part of the story. He won three championships, he was an important man for the club. I think that he deserves a good reception.
“When you win three championships, you remain in the heart of the fans. It’s normal. After the whistle, he becomes like the other players of Man United; an enemy, in the sporting aspect.
“I have great respect for him. He’s a great manager. He won a lot in his career. I think that he deserves the maximum respect.”
On Willian and Oscar
“Willian came back on Thursday morning [after the death of his mother]. He’s had two training sessions with us.
“It’s very important to consider all aspects, then you make a decision. Me, the players and the club are sorry for him and also for Oscar, because he flew to Brazil because of the death of his grandfather.
“It’s important now that we support him – me, the players, the club – because when you lose your mother, it’s always a bad thing.”
On United’s cagey tactics at Liverpool
“I watched the game. It was a very tough game between two good teams that I think will fight for the title until the end of this championship.
“Sure, it was a tactical game – we saw two teams that pay a great attention when they were without the ball. I think also on Sunday it will be a tactical game because usually when two great teams face each other like Manchester United and Chelsea it’s important to prepare on the tactical as well as technical aspect to prepare two situations; offensive and defensive.”
On Chelsea fans
“The advantage that we can have is that we play at home, with our fans. They are very important for us.
“On Sunday I think that our fans must have a very important role during the game to support the team. This is the advantage that Chelsea can have on Sunday.”
On Paul Pogba, who Conte signed for Juventus
“When we took him from Manchester United, he was a fantastic player, a great player, at a maximum level. For him, I think, to come back to Manchester United was his dream. I wish for him the best, but only after the game.”
On stopping United
“We must pay attention to the whole team of Manchester United, because in their team there are a lot of great players – one of them is [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic, who I consider a fantastic player.
“We must pay attention on all the players and find the right solution when we have the ball and when we are without the ball.”
On Nathaniel Chalobah’s emergence
“Chalobah is a young player but he’s growing a lot. I have great satisfaction when I see a young player grow. Chalobah is one of those players.
“It’s important for me not the age but to see that the player is in the right condition to play and for our team to have the benefit.”
On playing three at the back
“I am pleased because in many games that we conceded two, sometimes three, goals. This is not right, this is not a good way for Chelsea, to concede so many goals.
“We changed the system of play and I think the team took a lot of benefit. I think the players found they were the right suit for this type – more compact, but without losing our danger in offensive situations.
“We know that we must continue to work and to progress, but I’m pleased because this week I am seeing the right commitment, the right work-rate from the players and the players trusting in this system.”
On the importance of beating United following defeats by Liverpool and Arsenal
“The last game we beat a good team that last season won the league. On Sunday we face another great team.
“I want to see progress compared to Liverpool and Arsenal, but I have confidence about this because I saw fantastic commitment this week.”
On Cesc Fabregas and Branislav Ivanovic
“Cesc had a small muscular injury in a part of the thigh that is not normally injured. For this reason we must wait until the player is well and can come back. I hope he will come back very soon.
“We have also Ivanovic injured. He came back from the national team with a muscular problem. He is also recovering. I hope to have the whole squad very soon and to have the problem to make the decision.”
On Kurt Zouma
“I am waiting on him. This week he came back to the training sessions with the Under-21s and next week I want him to come with us and then start a new life for him!”
