Chelsea boss Antonio Conte sold for 'eight footballs and £100' during playing days

Task master: Conte says some of his father's ways have rubbed off but believes anger isn't the right approach
(Rachel Murray/Getty Images for Hublot)
Simon Johnson7 August 2016

Chelsea may think they got a good deal in signing N'Golo Kante for £32m this summer, but coach Antonio Conte proved a right bargain when he cost eight footballs and £100.

Conte was a superb player before starting a managerial career and began at a team called Juventina, which just so happened to be run and owned by his dad.

There was no favouritism though as his father Cosimino often criticised him more than his team-mates.

The tough love paid off for him though and he was signed by Lecce at the age of 13. The midfielder went on to have a successful career lasting 22 years, which included 13 glorious seasons at Juventus.

But Conte has never forgotten how it all started and explained: “My first team was called Juventina. My father was the owner. He was the owner, the coach, the kit man and everything else. He did all the jobs.

“He was the most important player in the club. He was my first master.

“Then, when I was 13, Lecce bought me and one of my team-mates. The transfer fee was eight footballs – and three of them were flat! They were expensive footballs and they also threw in 200,000 lira, which is about £100.

“In that period, my father was very tough – and especially with me. He wouldn't shout at the other kids. He would just shout at me and the other players would ask me why?

“My team-mates would say 'you haven't made a mistake. Why always you?' It was because I was his son.”

Some of his father's methods have rubbed off and Conte can often be heard shouting at his Chelsea players in training and during games.

However, Conte stresses that he doesn't want to destroy the morale of the squad, but is trying to forge a special bond.

He added: “For me, it’s not right to get angry. I always have an intensive relationship with my players, very strong, a great link, great passion with my players.

Chelsea players facing an uncertain future

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"Sometimes during the game and training session it can happen that I can shout at them for one situation but then we’re finished. And I shout only to improve the situation.

"When the player understand this sometimes he might be happy because: ‘Oh, the Mister looks at me and wants to help me.’ Despite the shouts.

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