The eve of a Chelsea match has a new ritual. What piece of atrocious banter did Antonio Conte have to parry in his press conference ahead of the Manchester United game?
This was never supposed to be a regular feature. Much like people watching a particular American politician thinking “once he’s in office he’ll lay off the middle-of-the-night Twitter storms,” we hoped that as the season progressed – regardless of outcome – the assembled Chelsea media would come to respect Antonio Conte’s time and personality at his press conferences.
At the very least, we thought that perhaps they would realize they were barking up the wrong tree. Especially with Jose Mourinho giving a Chelsea-themed presser this week, Conte should have had the week off from responding to banter. The Portuguese manager provides in spades that which the Italian denies. Instead, the never-ending search for #headlines and #ledes continues apace.
A distinguished media personality asked which Manchester United players Antonio Conte would put in his lineup ahead of his current Chelsea squad. Conte started talking about how he determines if a player is ready to start. His media rep interrupted to clarify the question to him, causing Conte to laugh in dismay.
"No, no, no, no. It’s not a good question. I think in football my players are the best in the world, and must be so. For sure, at United are a lot of top players, but they are United players. I keep my players and I am very happy. – Chelsea FC"
Earlier in the presser, a reporter (possibly the same one) asked Conte which of Chelsea’s nominees for PFA Player of the Year – Eden Hazard or N’Golo Kante – should win. Given the chance to interview the Conte family matriarch, this reporter would surely ask “Who do you love more: Antonio or Gianluca?”
A third match-up against Jose Mourinho. A terrorist attack against a Champions League club. Fifteen points from a Premier League title. A distressingly clinical Tottenham Hotspur nipping at Chelsea’s heels. But no. Instead, the press wants Conte to draw up a combined XI.
Next: Who the hell are you? Vol. 5: Andrea Belotti