John Terry hailed N'Golo Kante as a “great signing” after the midfielder made his Chelsea debut against Milan in the International Champions Cup.
Kante, who joined Chelsea from Leicester City for £32m in July, replaced Victor Moses after 52 minutes in Minneapolis despite training for less than a week due to reaching the Euro 2016 final with France.
And Terry was full of praise for his new team-mate after Chelsea's 3-1 win over Serie A side Milan, in what was the final affair of the club's pre-season tour of the United States.
"It is a great signing for us and he was incredible last year," Terry told Goal. "it is great to have him part of our squad and all the new boys we have got are looking good so I am delighted and looking forward to getting back to now.
"He was very good tonight, he has looked very good in training but he has not been back too long."
Terry was close to ending his 21-year association with Chelsea but the club offered him a new contract at the end of May, despite the skipper announcing that he would not be offered a new deal in January.
Antonio Conte was part of the committee that decided to keep Terry at the club and he thinks that the squad have so far managed to please their demanding boss.
"He has been very good since he has come in, some new ideas, new methods and we are adapting well to it," he continued.
"I thought at times and throughout the tour we played well and consistent and I am sure he will be pleased with us but there’s always room for improvement."
Chelsea's short pre-season was cited by Jose Mourinho as one of the factors why he was sacked in December last season after leaving the club only one point above the relegation zone.
Terry feels that his side are suitably prepared for their opening match of the new season against West Ham and was happy with his own display in Chelsea's last International Champions Cup clash - the first sporting event held at the $1 billion U.S Bank Stadium.
"I am feeling good, this is what pre-season is about, getting training, getting double sessions, getting fit, getting 90 minutes or 45 minutes under your belt, that’s the purpose of these tours, everyone getting together so that has served us well and hopefully we go back now fully fit."
"I feel good, good to get another 90 minutes, good to finish the US tour with a win as well.
Fantastic to be here in the U.S Bank stadium, fantastic to be hear and get a good reception from the fans at the home of the [Minnesota] Vikings and we are delighted to be the first team to play here, it is an incredible stadium.”
No comments:
Post a Comment