Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 7y

Chelsea must match intensity of past Juventus teams - Antonio Conte

LONDON -- Antonio Conte insists that he is not surprised by the defensive problems that have marred Chelsea's start to the season, and says his players must match the determination of his dominant Juventus teams if results are to improve on the pitch.

The early optimism surrounding Conte's arrival at Stamford Bridge has been dimmed by comprehensive defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal in Chelsea's two most recent Premier League outings, leaving them eighth in the table.

Key to both results were the defensive frailties that were evident throughout last season's disastrous Premier League campaign. And Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in eight matches in all competitions since Conte took charge.

"No, no, it's not a surprise," the Italian said. "Usually when you change manager, it means you have a problem. When you arrive in a [club] who called you to solve their problems, you know you must face this situation.

"Sometimes you can be happy and solve the situation very quickly. Sometimes you need to have time to solve the situation. It's important to understand how many problems you find when you arrive in a new team. In my life, my story shows that I haven't ever found an easy situation [on arriving at a club]."

Chelsea's enduring problems have not gone unnoticed; owner Roman Abramovich was a regular presence at Cobham from Monday to Wednesday, observing first-team training and discussing the situation with Conte over a series of lunches.

In previous years the Russian's arrival at Cobham might have set alarm bells ringing among players and management, but club officials insist the mood was relaxed and the purpose of the visit was supportive rather than supervisory.

Abramovich, sources say, has sympathy with Conte's struggle to produce coherence and consistency from a squad deprived of the top transfer targets he requested from the Chelsea hierarchy last summer.

Conte has never wavered in his praise for the attitude and commitment of his players in training, but the sense is that while there is no shortage of individual quality, the effort levels are yet to match the relentless determination he demanded and received at Juventus.

"The value of the players is not the same," he added. "The talent in our team, in Chelsea, for sure is more than Juventus in my first season. But, also, we must understand that you don't win just with talent. With talent, you must add running, intensity, sacrifice, wanting to win the ball when you lose it ... all of this.

"We are working very hard on these aspects to improve them. It's important to understand and find very quickly the right way. But I'm confident about this. I have a group of players who have great commitment and who work hard. I'm confident about this."

Saturday's clash with Hull City provides an opportunity for Conte to show that progress is being made in the defensive half of the pitch, but he will have to do so without the services of captain John Terry.

The 35-year-old has been battling hard to recover from strained ankle ligaments sustained in the final minute of a 2-2 draw against Swansea City earlier this month, but took a kick during a training session at Cobham that has delayed his recovery.

Gary Cahill has attracted considerable criticism in Terry's absence after making several high-profile and costly errors, but Conte insists the England international retains his faith.

"When we lose, we lose together," he added. "Not just because of one mistake. There was a single mistake [against Arsenal], but we had 80 minutes to recover the situation. And in 80 minutes, we didn't recover it.

"A single mistake can happen during a game. I hope we can improve also on this aspect, but I don't like to single out players for individual mistakes. We lose and we win together.

"We must understand this. If someone makes a mistake, together we must help him and solve the situation. Cahill is a good player, a great defender and a great player. I trust him and he plays tomorrow."

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