Conte: Chelsea working hard to sign new players in 'crazy' market

7 years ago

Conte: Chelsea working hard to sign new players in 'crazy' market

The Blues have only made two additions ahead of the new Premier League season but the former Italy boss has confirmed that he is aiming to bring in a few more arrivals

Antonio Conte says Chelsea are working hard to make a number of new signings but are being forced to be patient due to the “crazy” nature of the transfer market this summer.

The former Italy boss is gearing up for his first competitive game in charge of the Blues when they take on London rivals West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Chelsea have only signed Michy Batshuayi and N'Golo Kante ahead of the game, in a transfer window which has seen Manchester United sigh Paul Pogba for a world record £93.8m fee.

But Conte insists he and Chelsea officials are still hoping to land a few more fresh faces before the window closes on 31 August.

"I speak every day with the club and we have a plan," he told a press conference. "We know that this transfer market is crazy and different but we must be patient to find the right solutions for the team and it is important to speak every day with the club to find the right solution to improve this squad.

“I prefer to talk these topics with the club and have the idea to improve the squad, sure in the future, it something can happen.”

One player who has been linked with a move the other way this summer has been Nemanja Matic, with Juventus interested in signing him as a replacement for Pogba.

But Conte has revealed he has held talks with Matic, who featured heavily during Chelsea's pre-season tour of Austria, Germany and the United States, and assured him he remains key to his plans going forward.

"Nemanja is an important player for me and he knows it," Conte continued. "Nemanja is an important player for me and there isn’t a problem for me. Nemanja was a Chelsea player and will be a Chelsea player.

“I speak a lot with my players, with all my players, usually when you arrive in a new club it is important to get to know all the players in every aspect. To understand, to listen why the last season was so bad and for the coach that arrives for the first time in a new team, It’s important to go into the head of the players to solve the problem."

Conte also confirmed that Bertrand Traore, who has joined Ajax on a season-long loan, has inked a new three-year deal at the club and says he has a role to play with the first team in the future.

"Yes he is going on loan to Ajax," he added. "He’s a good player and together the club, we prefer to play, to improve, to have a season and play every game and then to come back because Traore is a good prospect at Chelsea and can be a Chelsea player."