Antonio Conte’s “winning mentality doesn’t exist to keep players happy”

Antonio Conte made clear that his role at Chelsea is to build a winning mentality, not a happy mentality. The happiness – for Cesc Fabregas and others – will surely follow from the wins.

Winning isn’t everything. Just ask Arsenal. But at Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, winning takes priority over any one player’s happiness. From Cesar Azpilicueta – who has played every minute of Chelsea’s season – to those poor souls who have played even less than £32 million time-wasting substitute Michy Batshuayi, Conte expects each player to share his passion for victory.

A reporter asked Antonio Conte how he keeps Cesc Fabregas happy given Fabregas’ limited playing time. Fabregas will end the season with the fewest minutes since his first full season at Arsenal in 2004/05. His perceived unhappiness with his playing situation has driven many of the transfer rumours linking him to AC Milan, in particular.

"You can be happy and play every game, but if you are unhappy this season when you are fighting to win the title and the FA Cup, I don’t like it. You speak about being happy, but I speak about wanting to win and work very hard. My target is to put a winning mentality into the minds of the players. – Chelsea FC"

Part of Antonio Conte’s winning mentality is the idea that nothing will make him happier than winning. Conte expects his squad to draw their greatest professional happiness from winning as part of the team, rather than from individual measures. Winning and happiness are not either-or for Conte: the former produces the latter.

"The winning mentality doesn’t exist to keep players happy, because it’s very difficult to keep 20 players happy. I want players who are ready to fight and put themselves in the team to try to win together. If you are happy or unhappy, I don’t care."

Cesc Fabregas, like Antonio Conte, is a prolific winner. They each have a trophy that has eluded the other. Fabregas won the World Cup with Spain, while Antonio Conte was a runner-up in 1994. Conte won a Champions League with Juventus, while Fabregas lost in the finals with Arsenal in 2005/06.

Fabregas can not help Conte add a World Cup to his trophy case. But Antonio Conte can help Fabregas complete his collection. Lifting the Champions League trophy would make Cesc Fabregas very happy, likely more so than garnering a few more starts.

Next: Matt Miazga, Lewis Baker celebrate historic cup win at Vitesse

With Chelsea a few wins away from a Premier League – FA Cup double, many players will happily wear their winners’ medals and parade trophies down the Fulham Road.