Antonio Conte foils more fishing expeditions in his Chelsea – Crystal Palace press conference
By George Perry
Antonio Conte continues not to descend to the level of his pre-match press conference interrogators. By pointing out the multiple clubs in London, he deftly swatted away a gratuitous provocation.
Antonio Conte waded through the usual questions about Eden Hazard transfer rumours and injury reports ahead of Chelsea’s match with Crystal Palace. The second question on Eden Hazard was nearly identical to the first. Conte gave the same answer both times, impelling the reporters to double their efforts.
Conte was asked if he agreed with Arsene Wenger’s statement that there is only one team in London. Conte once again showed off his impeccable sense of humour and literality by pointing out the obvious.
"In London there are many teams. Tomorrow, for example, for us there is a match against Crystal Palace… I like to compete with the other coaches, but I like to always have a respect for all the players and all the clubs. – Chelsea FC"
Earlier in the season this kind of response could be chalked up to Conte still getting comfortable with his English. However, since then he has given plenty of press conferences, not to mention training sessions and other chats with his players and staff. Antonio Conte’s approach to the media is quite obvious except to those on the receiving end.
Antonio Conte is not – and hopefully never will be – Jose Mourinho in the media room. He will not snark. He does not take digs at other coaches. And he absolutely starves headline writers. Arguably his most memorable moment to date is when he cracked up laughing as he listed N’Golo Kante’s room for improvement.
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The assembled media need to raise their game to provoke Conte into a biting quip. Ever more elaborate traps and twisted set-ups may produce that golden moment. You know, the kind where we can click to watch “as Antonio Conte EVISCERATES Arsene Wenger” or maybe even “IMMOLATES Mauricio Pochettino with this SICK BURN.”
Or, as we have pleaded in these digital pages before, they can respect his time and the Chelsea fan (and supporter) community. They can ask questions becoming of the manager who has Chelsea on the verge of a domestic double. They can open the doors to provide insight into the man who has become the most-imitated manager in England.
It is little exaggeration to say that a 21-year old with an iPhone in her flat would do a better job. Perhaps Chelsea can step out from tradition a bit and innovate their press conferences. Open the pressers to video submissions or tweets. The club’s media would screen and select the questions, and hopefully they would understand that better questions make for better press.
Next: Antonio Conte requests Chelsea postpone contract negotiations
Antonio Conte and the other managers would probably welcome the change. It could be a welcome surprise to field questions about football in their capacity as football managers.