Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Chelsea seeking perfection under Antonio Conte - Cesar Azpilicueta

Cesar Azpilicueta says Chelsea are chasing "perfection" this season as new head coach Antonio Conte looks to revive the team's fortunes after the worst season of the Roman Abramovich era.

Chelsea rounded off their preseason schedule with a convincing 4-2 victory over Werder Bremen in Germany on Sunday, courtesy of goals from Eden Hazard, Oscar, Diego Costa and substitute Pedro Rodriguez. 

The match saw Conte switch to a 4-3-3 system that featured summer signing N'Golo Kante shielding the defence and Hazard and Willian operating as attacking wingers, and Azpilicueta says the ability to change tactics will be key for Chelsea's chances of success in the Premier League this season.

"It's important to be flexible in terms of formation," the Spaniard told Chelsea's official website. 

"Every time the manager tries the best solution so we, the players, have to be ready to adapt to play in every system. The target is always the same, to beat the opponent, and with the different formations we can play we always have the ability to do that.

"We will try to get as close as possible to perfection as we can, even if it's hard. We are ready for work for that, we have a good few more days of training before the season starts, the games are finished, and now it's time to focus on West Ham. We are excited."

Claudio Pizarro and Leonard Thy scored for Bremen to ensure that Chelsea finished preseason having kept just two clean sheets in six friendly matches, but Azpilicueta stressed the positives in the performance as the Blues make their final preparations for Monday's Premier League opener against West Ham.

"It was our last game of preseason and we wanted to finish in a good way and to get a win, which we did," he added.

"We played a very good first few minutes, we linked very well, we attacked, and we pressed very well. We were playing three days after a lot of travelling so I think the team spirit was very good. We showed a great mentality.

"To concede the two goals is not nice of course, so there were some things we were not happy about, but we are trying to improve in every training session and then make it happen in the games."

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