Antonio Conte said his players must continue to improve and rejected the idea that Chelsea delivered a statement of intent to their title rivals after going top of the Premier League thanks to their stunning 5-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s manager refused to discuss a potential title challenge after his team’s fifth consecutive win and pointed out that Arsenal and Liverpool can overtake them with victories against Tottenham Hotspur and Watford, respectively, on Sunday.
Conte wants Chelsea to focus on themselves and maintain their desire. “We don’t want to send a message to the other teams,” the former Juventus and Italy manager, who took over in the summer, said. “It is important to send a message to ourselves. I think it is important to be focused on our work, not to see the others’. We want to improve. We are working a lot to improve. This is the right way, it is important the players recognise this way and continue, it is important to celebrate this victory but it is important to say that it is the past. Tonight we can see we are top. Tomorrow it can probably change. But it is not important. Today it was important to win and improve.”
Even so, Conte was delighted with his team. “When you have this type of performance, you are very happy,” he said. “When we win this way and play good football, good intensity with and without the ball, it is great. We can improve our confidence. I am very pleased. When you win five games in a row and don’t concede a goal, you can be satisfied.”
Eden Hazard scored twice and had a hand in all of Chelsea’s goals. “The most important thing is Eden is fantastic with the ball and without the ball,” Conte said of the Belgian. “He is working hard for the team. This type of commitment without the ball, I am satisfied.”
