Chelsea players have already been given a flavour of Antonio Conte’s tactical knowledge after just one day of training under their new boss.
The 46-year-old arrived at club’s Cobham base yesterday morning to begin his first day of work at the west London giants.
His tactical nous was showcased this summer before his Stamford Bridge arrival as he led out a highly-organised Italy side at Euro 2016 in France.
Widely regarded a the poorest Italian team for decades, Conte managed to organise the Azzurri into a well-drilled machine and was unlucky to only reach the quarter-finals.
He will be hoping to transfer that message to his new Chelsea side and got his first opportunity to coach the players yesterday in Surrey.
John Terry, John Obi Mikel, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Oscar, Victor Moses and Loic Remy were just a few of the senior players involved.
The morning’s session began with a warm-up and light jog before being split into two groups to work on their passing skills.
Possession-based exercises followed and Conte, who was vocal and passionate throughout the session, then turned his attention to patterns of play.
Double sessions have been scheduled as Chelsea’s players brace themselves for the hardest pre-season of their football careers.
Brazilian Oscar was impressed with the immediate impact made by the new boss and confirmed he has already started to pass on his tactical philosophy.
“I really liked it and I think the team are really going to improve a lot this season,” he said of Conte’s first training session.
“He’s very clear about what he wants from us.
“He spoke to everyone and it was very tactical with some good movements from the players.
Watch: Chelsea's John Terry going through intense preparation for new season
“I watched a lot of football during my time off. I saw the Copa America, Euros and some Brazilian matches.
“I was impressed with Antonio Conte’s Italy at the Euros, they played very well and were unlucky to lose on penalties to a good Germany team.
“I missed playing and I’m glad to be back. We are all training really hard and looking forward to the pre-season matches.
“Training has been very hard because it was a long break for me, but that’s what pre-season is all about, getting fit for the matches.”
Conte is due to meet with the media at Stamford Bridge for his official unveiling in west London on Thursday afternoon.
