Conte on his future, Arsenal, Koscielny’s absence, Vialli’s comments and needing new signings
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was asked about a number of issues at his news conference ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Arsenal. Here’s some of what the Italian had to say.
Conte on the Manchester attacks
“It is an important game, but I don’t want to forget what happened in Manchester. We are very close to the family of the people that died in Manchester.”
On Chelsea’s determination to win the cup
“We trained very well this week. In this aspect I can stay calm and I trust the players. For 90 minutes we have to forget that we won the league and concentrate on this target. It is a fantastic target and we don’t know if in the future we have the chance to win this trophy.”
On Arsenal’s defensive problems and absence of Laurent Koscielny
“We will see if we are able to exploit this opportunity. In this type of game it is a final, it is not important to miss one player or two players, it is very important to play the game in the right hunger and desire. Good organisation is important, but it is not enough. Our desire must be more than them.
“In this game I think we must see ourselves and be very focused on this game and do what we know. It is not important which are the players we have to play. If you start to think that this player will miss the next game, it is not important. Arsenal have a lot of great players and for this reason we must pay great attention.”
On Arsene Wenger
“I know very well the Arsenal history in the FA Cup and with Arsene. They won a lot of trophies in this competition. I have never won it and it could be a good opportunity for me and the team to lift it.
“I don’t trust that tomorrow will be the last game for Arsene. He deserves to work with Arsenal because he has shown in 20 years his work and he has done a good job and only this season they missed the Champions League.”
On whether John Terry might feature
“For sure John will be with us and for sure he will be on the bench, and then we’ll see what the game requests in the moment we are playing.
“Our target is to reach another trophy and to see him lift the trophy. That is his dream and my players also have this dream.”
On improving the squad for next season
“We have to finish this season but we have started to work for next season and I think we have the same point of view,.
“For sure we will try to improve our squad for next season because we have to face an important competition like the Champions League. Me and the club have the same point of view about this.”
On his own future
“My situation is very clear. I have two years with the club. For sure if the club give me the opportunity to stay here and extend my contract then it is great, but we have the same idea to improve the squad and the team. I am happy to stay here and I hope to stay here for many years.”
On Gianluca Vialli saying he wants Conte to stay for 25 years
“It would be great to do this, but in modern football it is very difficult to stay for a long time in the same club. But if you have the opportunity to stay for many years and improve your work, for a coach it is the best solution to stay at a club and to build something important.
“Modern football is dangerous and our job depends a lot on results. The only way that I know is to try to convince the club to stay for a long time is to work. Work very hard with my players, for sure is my hope.”
