Chelsea coach Antonio Conte hailed the signing of N’Golo Kante after the France international joined from Premier League champions Leicester City on Saturday.
Kante, 25, became Chelsea’s second major signing this month, following the arrival of Michy Batshuayi from Marseille, after the Blues paid a reported £32mn (38mn euros, $42mn) for the defensive midfielder.
“I want to say Kante was a target and for this reason I’m very happy the club bought the player,” said Conte, after watching Chelsea lose 2-0 to Rapid Vienna in his first match in charge.
“He’s a good player. He has good technique, fantastic stamina and I like this type of player. If you want to win then a team needs this type of player that works hard for the team. All together we are working to improve the squad. We know we have to but we prefer to wait and go for our targets, rather than go with emotion and take the players who don’t adapt to our idea of football.”
Conte fielded an experienced side with John Terry named as captain for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Rapid in the Austrian capital. The Italian also handed starts to several first-team regulars including Diego Costa, Nemanja Matic, Willian and Branislav Ivanovic, but the English giants fell behind when Brazilian teenager Joelinton scored after just eight minutes.
Chelsea academy product Ola Aina fired against the post in the second half. However, Rapid struck again through Tomi Correa on 82 minutes to wrap up the victory. “This is the first game for us but I knew it would be very difficult after three days of double training,” said Conte. “I think it was a bit normal to meet these difficulties in the game, but I don’t like to lose and it’s the same for my players.”
Conte, who steered an unfancied Italy side into the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 before losing to Germany on penalties, said Chelsea’s ultimate goal this season was to challenge for the title after a lowly 10th-place finish last term.
“We’ll work very hard because we want to come back and compete for the title until the end of the season. I know there is a lot of work to do but we are ready,” he said.
Conte was confident he can transform players such as Eden Hazard into world-class performers at Chelsea. Hazard was voted the PFA Player of the Year in 2015 for the dazzling displays that helped Chelsea to win the Premier League, but he endured a dip in form last season during a dismal title defence that led to Jose Mourinho’s sacking.
Hazard showed glimpses of returning to his best for Belgium during Euro 2016 and Conte is hoping the 25-year-old will improve into one of the world’s best. “We know that when you have great players with great talent like Hazard in the team, the expectations are very high,” Conte said. “Also, when the season before you have won the title and Hazard has been named the best player in the league. It’s important for us to recover Hazard in the best condition: technique, tactical, physical, overall and with the good mentality.
“But I spoke with him and I’m very happy. For me I’m pleased to train a fantastic player like him and also the other players. In Chelsea, with Hazard there are many players with great talent — Diego Costa, many players. I don’t want to say the names but many, many players.”
Regarding the heights Chelsea’s most outstanding individuals can reach, he said: “We have players, fantastic players, who have great talent but in this moment the world doesn’t think they are the same level as (Lionel( Messi, (Luis) Suárez, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo or (Paul) Pogba. In our squad there are players who, with work, can improve a lot and reach this level. The player must understand that there is the ability to work to prove and to show that, ‘Now I am a top player, but I want to become top, top, top and want to stay there.’”
Conte also outlined the respect he will demand from his players. “I always give education and respect but I demand the same, for all the people that work with me. I give them this and I demand this,” he said.
“This was taught to me by my family, to give education and respect to all people. If I don’t have this, you are asking for trouble, for a problem. I love to be with my players, to speak with them, to help them to understand my philosophy, my methods and my thoughts. I love this. Hopefully when the players understand this we have a fantastic relationship.”