Antonio Conte would swear on a stack of bibles as tall as him he’s never once sent out a team with a defensive mentality - home or away.
After the superb goalfest that routed Manchester United on Sunday, Chelsea travel to the Olympic Stadium for the first time to face a rejuvenated West Ham.
But any thoughts Blues will settle for anything less than another 4-0 win is as far away as the wrecked Mars probe.
“I think that it's important to win, but for me also it's important to win in the right way,” he said.
“Because, sometimes, it happened to me... we won in the past with the other clubs, but I wasn't satisfied with the performance.
“When you win it's important to put in a good performance for our fans, to show also our work.
“I think to win is important, but it's important also to play good football, to play with good intensity, to show always the will to win, the passion. For me, that's important.”
Even in Serie A, notorious for its defensive mindset, Conte insists attack is the best form of defence.
“I think it's right always to play for a win, and to start a game trying to win,” he added.
“I try and transfer these thoughts to my players always.
“If you play at home or away, it must be the same. You must start the game with only one target: to win. Not to play for a draw. I don't like this. It's not football.”
