Antonio Conte admits there will be no escape for him and the players if they fail to deliver success at Chelsea.
Chelsea handed Conte a three-year contract to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around following a dismal 2015-16 campaign where they did not win a trophy and finished in their lowest League position since 1996.
Conte, who arrived here in Los Angeles with the first-team squad for the start of their USA tour yesterday, has been working with the group for less than a fortnight.
The former Italy coach is aware he is expected to challenge for silverware from the outset, yet feels they are already making good progress.
He said: “As the players and manager of a great club like Chelsea, the targets are very clear — you can’t escape.
“The targets are the same — to fight to win or to fight to the end to win. It’s also important that the fans see our passion.
“After a week, I am very happy because I have found a great atmosphere and a great attitude between the players. This is very, very important to have — we are working very hard.
“We need to transfer my idea of football and for this reason I need a bit of time. But I’m happy to have this great telepathy with the players because we are changing the work compared to the last seasons, in the physical and tactical aspect.
“I am very happy to have this experience, to be manager of a great club like Chelsea.
"It’s the right moment for me to stay here, in a fantastic championship with a great atmosphere, great passion. I am staying at the right place, I feel this.”
Conte has almost a full quota of talent to choose from ahead of the first friendly against Liverpool in Pasadena on Wednesday night.
Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois have started pre-season training having been given extended time off following Euro 2016.
Branislav Ivanovic (shoulder) and Kurt Zouma (knee) have been included in the 30-strong outfit despite needing to work on their recovery, while £32m signing N’Golo Kante is still on a break.
Conte plans to give the players another double training session in the intense LA heat today, but midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek says the 46-year-old’s methods are working and claims he’s already won over the players. “The manager demands high level performance in training and in games,” he said. “He gives respect to you and you respect him back.
Chelsea 2016/17 pre-season fixtures
“He is such a good manager in that way, in helping you learn, he’s such a nice person as well. We all really like him and want him to do well, as well as trying and do well ourselves.
“I feel like it is a fresh start for everyone. Everything feels like it is a clean slate.”
