Conte Tells ‘Underrated’ Chelsea to Become a ‘Blazing Inferno’

Conte Tells ‘Underrated’ Chelsea to Become a ‘Blazing Inferno’

New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has charged the club to light up the Premier League title race this season under his guidance.

Conte, 46, was unveiled at a show-stopping ceremony at Stamford Bridge on Thursday, and the former Juventus manager – who guided Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 only losing on penalties to world champions Germany – has backed the Blues to make a go at glory.

“We are under-rated a bit, and might slip under the radar, but I hope there’s a small flame flickering here that can hopefully grow into a blazing inferno,” said Conte, who also confirmed John Terry will remain as skipper at the club.

“When you are a player, a footballer, or a manager of a great club like Chelsea, you must play to win.

“To win. To win the title. Or to fight and, at the end, to compete with the other teams to win the title and reach your targets.”

The former Italy defensive midfielder said he’s excited by the challenge ahead as he felt Chelsea, who finished 10th last season, belonged at the top, Guardian writes.

“I know that this league is very, very difficult because there are six or seven teams who can win the title. For this reason, this situation is very exciting for me. It excites me, this situation.

“I know, that there is only one team who wins the title. But we must stay there at the end of the season, to fight for the title and be there for the Champions League. Chelsea belongs in the Champions League, and we must stay there.”

Conte, whose touchline theatrics was one of the more memorable features of the Euro, guided Juve to three consecutive Serie A titles and believes his Premier League adventure couldn’t be better timed.

“I think that this is a great challenge. I think that this is the right moment for me to arrive in England.”

Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign August 14 with a tricky tie against West Ham United.