Chelsea boss Antonio Conte vows to stay on even if they fail to land the signings he wants
Blues boss says he is a coach rather than a manager - but insists Stamford Bridge chiefs are doing their best to bring in new players
ANTONIO CONTE insists he is staying put at Chelsea, regardless of the club’s transfer troubles.
Boss Conte fears his squad will crumble under the pressure as early as next month if he fails to land at least two new players before the window shuts on Thursday.
Alvaro Morata, one of Conte’s four summer buys, did net in yesterday’s win over Everton.
And determined Conte said: “I’m totally committed to the club.
“Totally committed to improve my players and my team. I’m a coach, not a manager.
“For sure, when you want to strengthen your squad, you have to give your opinion. Then the club goes into the transfer market to try and sort the situation.
“Sometimes it is possible. Sometimes it’s not possible. But I must be focused with things on the pitch and continue to work with my players.
“The club is working very hard to try to improve our squad.”
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Conte has been given hitman Morata, midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, defender Antonio Rudiger and keeper Willy Caballero this summer — at an initial cost of £129m.
But he warned: “Don’t forget in September we have to play seven games.
“I need to rotate my players because it’s very difficult to play seven games in a month with some players.
“I think the club is working very hard to strengthen the squad. They know very well our situation.”
Conte is chasing Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater, Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley, who missed yesterday’s game for Everton with a hamstring injury.
First-half goals from Cesc Fabregas and Morata got Chelsea’s title defence up and running after a shaky start to the season, against a jaded Everton team playing their third game in seven days.
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Conte added: “We dominated the game, we created many chances to score.
“If I have to see a little negative aspect, in the second half we could have been more clinical and scored the third goal to close the game definitely.
“At 2-0, from set-plays and corners you might concede a goal and you might have finished the game with a bit of fear, which you don’t need.”
Conte was chuffed to see Spanish hitman Morata bag his first goal for the club since his move from Real Madrid, for an initial £58m.
The Italian said: “He scored a really good goal and I’m pleased for him.
“When you arrive at a new club and you are a striker, to score is very important.
“It’s not easy for a striker — and the midfielders — to arrive and adapt very quickly to our philosophy.
“Above all the strikers, who I need to stay in position as a point of reference. To adapt to our style is not easy and you need time.
“But I’m pleased for him, Rudiger and Bakayoko — new signings, young players. We are trying to build and improve this base.”
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