Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has rubbished speculation linking Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic with a summer move away from Stamford Bridge.
Having struggled for playing time under Guus Hiddink, the highly rated footballer was tipped to leave the club in the summer transfer window, and the arrival of N’Golo Kante didn’t help his cause.
However, new manager Antonio Conte is adamant that Matic is a fantastic footballer and that he is not for sale at any price.
“Matic is a very important player for me, he is very important in my idea of football,” Conte said at a press conference ahead of the Liverpool friendly in Pasadena.
“He knows this and I’m delighted by his attitude and behaviour and I see in him commitment. I know with work he can become a fantastic midfielder, one of the best in the world. He is not for sale.”
There is a good chance that Matic and Kante will establish a midfield partnership at Stamford Bridge, although Cesc Fabregas and Nathaniel Chalobah will also be vying for places in the middle of the park.
Following a largely disappointing season last term, Chelsea will be looking to mount a serious title challenge and they are 7.00 (6/1) to lift the coveted title.
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