Tottenham vs Chelsea: Antonio Conte knows all about how difficult moving home can be after losing his trademark suits this summer
Spurs take on the Italian's Blues at Wembley in their first Premier League game since moving from White Hart Lane
MOVING homes is usually a stressful experience for most people.
Tottenham fans and players face that headache this season — and so, too, did Chelsea boss Antonio Conte only a few months ago.
That is because the Italian LOST his suit while moving house this summer.
Conte wore tailored clobber last season but was forced to wear a tracksuit for last week’s opening-day defeat to Burnley instead.
The reason being that, in the process of moving his family to England, he left his usual matchday clothes back in Italy.
Conte, who believes Spurs’ relocation is a good long-term plan, revealed: “There is a reason I wore a tracksuit — I didn’t bring the suit with me! But from Sunday, I will wear my suit again. It’s not a lucky suit — but I do like to be on the bench with a suit.”
Conte will be suited and booted again for Spurs’ first Premier League game at Wembley while White Hart Lane gets rebuilt.
Chelsea may have their own problems, but they aim to exploit last season’s title rivals — who today host a league match away from their old home for the first time.
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Conte was a player at Juventus just after the Italian giants moved to the Stadio delle Alpi, which had a running track and struggled for atmosphere.
The Blues chief said: “Yes, for sure it’s not the same when you do not play in your stadium — it’s different. But if you want to take another step to improve a club, you must face this type of situation.”
The Italian giants moved to Stadio Olimpico and built the Juventus Stadium, which Conte coached them in.
Conte said: “For sure it was a key moment for Juventus.
“I think there is a big difference, I played a lot in the Stadio delle Alpi as a player and that wasn’t a real stadium.
“It was very cold and you didn’t feel the fans’ passion as the stands were very far from the pitch.
“When we started to play in Juventus Stadium, the situation changed totally.
“The players felt the fans behind them. It's great.
“Stamford Bridge is similar to Juventus Stadium and is really good. But, for sure, the new Blues stadium will be fantastic for the club, for the coach, for the players.”
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Conte hopes to be wearing a suit on Premier League touchlines for another three seasons.
He wants to make history as the longest-serving boss of the Roman Abramovich era — provided Chelsea stop selling players.
The Italian has made his frustration clear over his stars getting sold and loaned this summer.
And he says he must work with the same squad to outlast previous managers, who have never made it to four straight seasons during the Red Rom era.
Since Abramovich took over in 2003, Jose Mourinho has lasted the longest — going for more than three seasons during his first spell in the Stamford Bridge hotseat.
Conte said: “I want to break this bad record — I must be positive.
“I hope to stay at this club for many years. It means you have the possibility to work with the same players and improve them.”
Conte would love to lead out Chelsea into their new developed ground, which was initially planned for 2021.
Conte said: “Why not? I hope so as this could be a fantastic challenge for me and also for the club — to stay together and also to play with this team in a new stadium.
“Honestly, the new stadium will be great, but I love Stamford Bridge. I feel Stamford Bridge is like my house.”
Chelsea’s last two Wembley trips have ended in defeats to Arsenal — in the FA Cup last season and the Community Shield — with Victor Moses and Pedro sent off.
With Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas also dismissed last weekend, they are threadbare when compared to the last Blues team to win at Wembley. During that FA Cup semi-final victory against Spurs, they brought Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Fabregas off the BENCH to win.
They clinched it with a stunner from Nemanja Matic, who has been sold to Manchester United. And their subs that day are AWOL (Costa), injured (Hazard) or banned (Fabregas).
Conte said: “Now we have to find another solution. At this moment we always play with N’Golo Kante and Fabregas in midfield.
“Now Tiemoue Bakayoko is ready I have another opportunity to make my decision.”
Conte could also start £58million summer signing Alvaro Morata at Wembley after his impressive cameo in the 3-2 defeat to Burnley.
He said: “Morata is ready to start, yes. He must improve his physical condition but he’s in contention.”
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