New Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
has urged his players to retain the aggressiveness they have shown
during the pre-season, saying that the combative nature of the game was
essential to the style of play he is looking to impose at the club.
Six players were booked, while midfielder Cesc Fabregas
was shown a red card, in Chelsea's feisty 1-0 victory over Liverpool on
Thursday after Gary Cahill's early header condemned the Merseyside club
to their first pre-season defeat.
Fabregas will
now be suspended for Chelsea's friendly clash against Champions League
winners Real
Madrid on Saturday but Conte was not ready to criticise the
Spaniard.
"I like my teams to be aggressive
and I like if my team plays with great aggression and high intensity. We
train to prepare for that because I want that my team has an identity," Conte told British media.
"I
always gave an identity to my teams. I am searching to transfer this to
my players. I am pleased because I see a great attitude. I want to
continue in this way because this is the only way to come back very soon
for the title.
"Not to speak, but actions. Now is not the moment to talk."
Conte has already strengthened his squad with two major signings in striker Michy Batshuayi and midfielder N'Golo Kante.
The
former Italy and Juventus coach will begin his tenure in England with a
London derby against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on Aug. 15.
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