Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has discussed the future of midfielder Nemanja Matic.
The new manager at Stamford Bridge insisted that Matic wasn’t for sale, despite interest from Manchester United and Juventus, and declared that he would turn him into one of the best midfielders in the world.
Juventus were preparing a £30 million bid for Serbian star Matic, who had a wretched campaign last season and was expected to be one of the players sacrificed as Conte builds a new team at Chelsea.
But Conte, whose side face Liverpool in their first International Champions Cup match in Pasadena tonight, has insisted he wants to keep the 27-year-old, who cost Chelsea £30m from Benfica in January 2014.
“Matic is a very important player for me, very important in my idea of football,” said Chelsea manager Conte.
“He knows this. I’m delighted by his attitude and behaviour and I see commitment in him. I know that with work he can become a fantastic midfielder, one of the best in the world. He is not for sale.”
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10