EXCLUSIVE
Nemanja Matic admits the arrival of Antonio Conte to Chelsea has made him feel wanted at Stamford Bridge again.
The 27-year-old is a target for Juventus as they look for a replacement for Manchester United-bound Paul Pogba but Conte has already insisted the midfielder is not for sale.
Matic struggled for form under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink last term, with the latter leaving him out of the side regularly after taking over in December.
But Conte believes he can make the Serbia international one of the best midfielders in the world and such public backing has given Matic a boost.
He told Standard Sport: “What he said gave me a special feeling. Like every player here, I have a good relationship with the manager. I respect what he said about me and, of course, I liked what I heard.
“It was a strange year for all of us last season. Of course, I was not happy that we finished 10th in the table but there were many things that made it hard for me, yet I can’t speak about it.
“So it was important for me to know that I am a big part of his [Conte’s] plans. I have been at the club for two-and-a-half years and have always given my best every day. Until I’m here, I will continue to give everything to the team.”
Matic, who has three years left on his contract, has started every game in pre-season so far. Summer signing N’Golo Kante will join the squad in Detroit, where they play Real Madrid tomorrow, for the first time following his £32million transfer from Leicester.
His arrival will add to Matic’s competition in midfield but the former Benfica star believes the squad can get better under Conte. The Chelsea coach had a successful career with Juventus and Italy playing in the same position.
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Matic added: “The manager played football at a very high level and it helps him to know things, to understand us and to show us on the pitch what we can do better, how we can improve.
“We have worked together for two weeks and I can already see that he is a great manager, with a great team of coaches. I’m sure this team will improve with him.”
