Conte happy for Hazard starring role

AFP,  LONDON: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants playmaker Eden Hazard to keep putting the needs of the team ahead of his own personal glory after his starring role in the FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham Hotspur.
The Belgium international came off the bench to inspire the Blues to a 4-2 win over London rivals Spurs at Wembley on Saturday as Premier League leaders Chelsea stayed on course for a domestic double.
Afterwards Chelsea team-mate Cesc Fabregas said Hazard was second in ability in the world game only to Barcelona great Lionel Messi and could yet get even better if he was more “selfish” and demonstrated a greater “killer instinct”.
But Conte was happy with the progress Hazard was making playing just as he is now and that the only way to become a truly great footballer was to put the team first. “The first target for every great champion is to play for the team and to put your talent in the team,” Conte said. “I don't think that a player like Messi is a selfish player. The best players in the world don't exist without the team.”
The former Italy manager added: "For me, it's sad when I listen to this, that one player must be more selfish to reach the top level. This is not my idea of football. I never will understand this. Never.
“In my team I don't want selfish players. I prefer to lose a game, than to have a selfish player. “I don't want this, I can't accept this. I don't want my club to one day buy me a selfish player, never.”
Conte, whose side face Arsenal in next month's final, could win both the Premier League and the FA Cup in his first season in England.
Chelsea are four points clear of second-placed Spurs with six league games remaining. Conte's men, however, have lost two of their last four matches -- against Crystal Palace and Manchester United -- to turn what threatened to be a procession into a genuine title race.

 

Conte happy for Hazard starring role

AFP, LONDON: Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants playmaker Eden Hazard to keep putting the needs of the team ahead of his own personal glory after his starring role in the FA Cup semi-final win over Tottenham Hotspur. The Belgium international came off the bench to inspire the Blues to a 4-2 win over London rivals Spurs at Wembley on Saturday as Premier League leaders Chelsea stayed on course for a domestic double. Afterwards Chelsea team-mate Cesc Fabregas said Hazard was second in ability in the world game only to Barcelona great Lionel Messi and could yet get even better if he was more selfish and demonstrated a greater killer instinct. But Conte was happy with the progress Hazard was making playing just as he is now and that the only way to become a truly great footballer was to put the team first. The first target for every great champion is to play for the team and to put your talent in the team, Conte said. I dont think that a player like Messi is a selfish player. The best players in the world dont exist without the team. The former Italy manager added: For me, its sad when I listen to this, that one player must be more selfish to reach the top level. This is not my idea of football. I never will understand this. Never. In my team I dont want selfish players. I prefer to lose a game, than to have a selfish player. I dont want this, I cant accept this. I dont want my club to one day buy me a selfish player, never. Conte, whose side face Arsenal in next months final, could win both the Premier League and the FA Cup in his first season in England. Chelsea are four points clear of second-placed Spurs with six league games remaining. Contes men, however, have lost two of their last four matches -- against Crystal Palace and Manchester United -- to turn what threatened to be a procession into a genuine title race.