CONTE: "As the players and manager of a great club like Chelsea, the targets are very clear — you can’t escape"

Antonio Conte has taken part in plenty of interviews and pre-match press conferences since he has been appointed as the new Manager at Chelsea. However, there has been one important quotation he has given that serves as notice for all of us ahead of the new season.

Much has been said about Chelsea's failings last season. Everyone from Bloggers like me to the head Sports Writers and Pundits on TV have had their say and still we have no clear cut, simple explanation as to what happened. It's a season we simply have to forget, dust ourselves off and focus on a new exciting chapter in our lives under Antonio Conte.

So to Conte and these quotes he has given that I wish to highlight here. Speaking of what it means to this club to be the Manager and to be a player, Conte tells us exactly how it is to be Chelsea. He said:

“As the players and manager of a great club like Chelsea, the targets are very clear — you can’t escape. 

The targets are the same — to fight to win or to fight to the end to win. It’s also important that the fans see our passion. 

I am very happy because I have found a great atmosphere and a great attitude between the players. This is very, very important to have — we are working very hard. 

We need to transfer my idea of football and for this reason I need a bit of time. But I’m happy to have this great telepathy with the players because we are changing the work compared to the last seasons, in the physical and tactical aspect.

I am very happy to have this experience, to be manager of a great club like Chelsea."

There IS no escape from the demands made to them by the Owner, the Board and the Supporters. I like the fact that he openly talks like that. I like the fact that just weeks after arriving at the club, he is sending a veiled message to the players so they re-focus and think about what it means to come and play for our club which is now one of the biggest in the world.

None of us can wait for the season to start in two weeks (and we still have to wait until Monday night to face West Ham!) and it will be interesting to see how those first two months play out for Chelsea and Antonio Conte.

One thing is clear, this guy will not take any crap from anyone and by now, the players will know exactly what he expects from them.

I really can't wait for it to start!