When it was first announced that Antonio Conte would be taking over at Stamford Bridge, it was largely overshadowed by other appointments in the Premier League.
The likes of Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho were set to join the Premier League’s elite in the new season, leaving Conte, who himself was still in a job with the Italian national team, slipping to the back of people’s minds.
But, on Thursday afternoon, the calm, but precise Italian talked a good game as he was unveiled to the media for the first time as Chelsea’s new head coach. Despite a steely outside, Conte showed the character and desire that attracted Chelsea in the first place.
Speaking with such a tone that showed why he was the right choice for the Chelsea board, despite suggestions he was the second choice behind Guardiola.
Many have been quick to compare Conte to the former Blues manager, Jose Mourinho and it has been easy to see why.
The Italian is charismatic, he has his preferred methods and tactics on the training ground, in the same way that Mourinho does.
With worries about Conte’s ability to speak English when he was hired, he addressed the media with such calmness but with authority, in a similar way to how Mourinho did, making the claim that he was indeed ‘a special one’ all those years ago.
When Mourinho returned to the club, he was quick to identify that the club didn’t belong in the Europa League, despite winning the competition the previous season. He claimed it was an embarrassment for the club, and whilst Conte didn’t use those exact words, he was quick to point out that Chelsea belong in the Champions League.
After finishing 10th last season, the Blues will miss out on any form of European football for Conte’s debut season, which may yet have its benefits in the long run. However, everyone at the club, including Conte, pulled no punches about wanting a swift return to the competition, with a top four finish surely the minimum requirement for the Italian.
I am a worker. I like to work. I know only this road to win, to get this club competing very soon, to play in the Champions League, to win the title. I know only this verb – work, work, work.
Conte has been to known to bring the best out of his players, no matter what level their ability is. Something that Mourinho was able to do so effectively during his time at Chelsea. He claimed that he took the players beyond a level that they were capable of.
You only have to look at Conte’s efforts in this summer’s European Championships, taking the depleted Italian squad into the quarter-finals of the tournament, where even at that stage, they could’ve been considered unlucky to go out when they did.
Despite both being able to do it so effectively, their methods in the way they get the players on their sides is where the two differ.
Conte looks to get the players agreeing with his methods, getting them running through walls for him. He is so passionate about his work which shows as he urges his team on from the sidelines.
Just by reading quotes from players that have worked with Conte tell you so much about the effect he can have on players. Juventus and Italy defender, Leonardo Bonucci revealed that the Italian players nicknamed him ‘The Godfather’.
That means when he talks, you listen. You do what he says and you don’t argue. Players want to listen though.
Bonucci’s quotes are somewhat similar to those of Andrea Pirlo when he revealed the authority that Conte can have in a dressing room.
When Conte speaks, his words assault you, they crash through the doors of your mind, often quite violently and settle deep within you. I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve found myself saying, ‘Hell, Conte said something really spot-on again today’.
Whereas Mourinho likes to motivate his players in a much sterner and negative way, picking fights with his players to keep them on their toes.
Throughout the final months of his Chelsea tenure, he would go on to have public spats with his own players on a regular basis.
His rough treatment was particularly highlighted with the young midfielder, Ruben Loftus-Cheek. After criticising a performance in Chelsea’s end of season tour in Australia, he would go on to do the same thing following the game against Aston Villa.
Mourinho would often go on record to say that Loftus-Cheek, a fan favourite among the Stamford Bridge faithful, was not working hard enough compared to his senior team-mates.
He has to try to compare himself with others and understand why I didn’t keep him in the game for 90 minutes.
Then on top of that, there was that post-match interview. Yes, that one, following the 3-1 defeat against Southampton. A full seven minutes of Mourinho in full swing. Calling out the officials, Chelsea players, people behind the scenes and members of the board, the clearest indication that Mourinho was on the verge.
In that very interview, Mourinho alluded to being punished by the FA, something that felt like it was happening every week for the fans watching the game. Under Conte, you can only imagine those days are behind the club.
Whilst Mourinho was highly successful at Stamford Bridge, there were times that outbursts and fights with the Football Association weren’t needed and did little to improve the club’s falling reputation.
In stark comparison, Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge on Thursday afternoon and caught the attention of the world’s media, reinstalling the hope and belief among Chelsea supporters that the club can push forward in what is being dubbed as a ‘new era’ for the Blues.
It’s just the second day at Cobham for me, it’s fantastic to work there and in the last two days I saw the players with the right attitude, right behaviour and with a great will to fight for the shirt and to go back very soon to compete to win the title. After these two days I’m very glad to see these things and I think it’s very important.
All arrows are pointing towards the fact that Conte has the resources to be a success at Stamford Bridge, in a similar vein to Mourinho, but leaving a less patchy legacy behind him.
Chelsea fans have reasons to be cheerful as everyone moves on from the man that has given the club so much to be grateful for over the last decade.
