Football news

Conte: We will lose John next season and need more players for sure

Ahead of Chelsea’s match against Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte has discussed the excellent relationship he has developed with Blues fans this season and how he loves celebrating victories with them.

The Italian’s passion is plain to see on a matchday, from his animation on the touchline during the game to his outpourings of emotion whenever the Blues have taken three points. It was never more evident than in our last fixture, when we came away from Everton with an impressive 3-0 victory.

‘It was a way to celebrate a big win for us and also to celebrate a clean sheet,’ explained Conte, referencing his post-match jubilation at Goodison.

‘This is my way to celebrate, but also this is my way to give my passion to the fans. After the game, and after a win, there is a moment that you are free, without pressure, with nothing – only joy.

‘You have this joy in your body – it invades you – and also in this moment I like to share my joy with my players, my staff and with the fans. I think, for sure, I live my work in an intensive way and, after a win, I reach a top level.  

‘I like to have this type of relation because the players and I, and every single person who works for Chelsea, we give all ourselves. I like it when there is this type of relation with the fans to share this kind of joy.

‘I think also it is right because don’t forget that our fans, in every game, they spend a lot of money and to give them the joy and share the joy with them after the game is good. You repay them for their effort and the time they spend on us.’

The win at Everton guaranteed us Champions League football next season and, while Conte is very much focused on bringing silverware to Stamford Bridge this term, he has spoken about his long-term vision for Chelsea.  

‘We are talking about a special competition and it is normal we would want to play in it and try to fight to win it,’ he said.

‘I think we are building, we are starting to build in this season, and if we are able to win, it is a great achievement for us because when you start to build it is very difficult to win during that season. 

'Don’t forget that we are building to try and create a good foundation to support – not only for next season but for many years – Chelsea always staying and fighting to win the Champions League.

‘There is only one team who can win, but you must prepare to build a good foundation to give Chelsea the chance to fight every season to try to win the competition.

‘This is a process and I think no one thought this season that Chelsea could fight to win the title and could fight to be in the final of the FA Cup because, for sure, at the moment we are in transition.

‘We are losing a lot of top players that wrote the history of this club. Don’t forget that this season we lost Ivanovic, Mikel and Oscar and next season we will lose John – we are talking about key players.

‘Now it is very difficult to paint this problem and also I don’t want to think about this problem. It is very important to be focused on the present. You must be prepared to face every situation and to find the right solution.

‘My expectation this season was a great challenge in this league, against City, United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool. In the next season, for us, it will be the same, but we want to work, and then we have the possibility to go in the market to choose the right players for my idea of football. For sure, we will need more players next season.’