Antonio Conte has warned Chelsea supporters not to expect to see counter-attacking football at Stamford Bridge next season.
Conte will take over in west London after this summer’s European Championships in France after stepping down from his role as Italy manager.
It emerged today that he will be replaced by former Torino coach Giampiero Ventura after the Azzurri confirmed his appointment on Tuesday.
Blues supporters are keen to see how Conte will set up his side as they look to wrestle back the Premier League title from Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City.
However, it would appear his tactics do not include playing on the break, a hallmark of the English top-flight, after outlining his philosophy this week.
“I do everything except counter-attacks,” Conte explained. “I do not play on the counter. I never even train counter-attacks. It is not in my concept of football.
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“When we have the ball, we have our ideas. When we lose the ball, we try to be tight, press the opposition and try to win it back as soon as possible.
“Counter-attacks are when you sit back and then propel yourself forward at pace.
“We’ve [Italy have] got players who can do that, like Ciro Immobile, Simone Zaza and others, but in my idea of football we want to play the game and use the ball.
“If we lose possession, we have to be aggressive and win it back in their half, as that’ll make it easier for us to close on their goal.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea transfer target Radja Nainggolan continues to be linked with a move to the Bridge.
And the Roma enforcer has refused to end the talk, instead putting the ball firmly in the club’s court ahead of the re-opening of the window.
"I've always stated what I want,” he said. “I'm happy at Roma and that is where I see myself.
“On the other hand, an offer from Chelsea is a big deal and you have to take into consideration. I've said what I want, now let's see what the club have to say."
