LONDON, JULY 17: NEWLY-appointed Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes that he can help the English Premier League (EPL) club’s players reach the level of icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
The 2015-16 season was a campaign to forget for Chelsea, who finished 10th in the table as they surrendered their EPL crown to Leicester City.
Hazard was significantly off the pace compared to the previous title-winning season, when he won numerous individual accolades, though the Belgium star did end the term with four goals in his final five matches.
“These players, with work, can still improve a lot. Because now 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 Suarez, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo or Paul Pogba,” Conte was quoted as saying by the Telegraph on Saturday.
“But in our squad there are players who, with work, can improve a lot and reach this level. I’m sure about this. It’s important that the players understand they must work to show that ‘Now I am a top player, but I want to become top, top, top, top and want to stay there,” he added.
“The mentality is important. The heart is important. Patience and the will to improve is very important. And in this case it’s important for the manager to take the best players and try to improve them.”
Conte oversaw a 2-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna in Saturday’s opening pre-season friendly.
“Last season was bad for all the players, it’s incredible that Chelsea finished 10th in the table. The habit of Chelsea is to win the title or to stay until the end of the season fighting to win the title, to play in the Champions League,” the former Italy coach said.
“And last season it was incredible, not only for Hazard but for other players also. 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. I’m pleased to train a fantastic player like him and also the other players.”
“It’s important for me, I repeat, next season to create the right spirit in the team and with great organisation, a great physical condition we can have a good season,” Conte concluded.
