Olivier Giroud comes back to Chelsea tomorrow, what is he like to play against?
“It’s true Giroud is a big player. He showed it in Serie A last year, he scored a lot of goals. At Chelsea, he used to score a lot of goals. I think he did good work with winning the Scudetto with AC Milan.
"He is a dangerous striker and we have to always keep aware of him because he can score at any time. We know it will be a tough game for the defenders but we will be ready to win this game because it’s most important tomorrow that he doesn’t score and that Chelsea win.”
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How desperate are you to get on the pitch tomorrow to show the new head coach what you can do?
“It’s true I haven’t played yet with the new manager but I’m easy, I know my time will come. We have a lot of games and I will give everything in training. I am a big worker and when I don’t play, I like to put all my energy into my work. At the moment, I am working good and trying to give my best in training to show him he can use me on the pitch and play my first game for him.
"I think today the most important thing is that Chelsea have to win the game tomorrow to get the three points because I know we didn’t start well in the Champions League with a defeat and draw. So we absolutely have to win this game tomorrow and we prepare everything to win this game and I hope we will do it. That is the most important thing.”
How dangerous do you view this AC Milan team, are they coming back as a force in Europe?
“I think so. They have a great team. We know that Milan have a good story in the Champions League, they have won it a lot. Last year they had a good championship, they won the Scudetto with a lot of talented players who are really dangerous. I think they have got some good points at the beginning of the run so we have to know that Milan is dangerous and have a lot of quality in the front and back.
"They have young players who are used to playing big game. We know everything about them and we prepare well. So we have to be aware of everything and to try to win the game. It’s really important tomorrow and after that, I think Milan is moving forward. They showed it last year and since the beginning of the season, they are doing well.”
What has it been like training with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and what do you expect for him at Chelsea?
“Everybody knows about Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. We know that he is an important player for us. He used to score a lot in Premier League and he did it last year in Barcelona. We are happy to be with him today and we know he can give us a lot because he can score a lot of goals.
"It’s hard to take him in training because you know he is talented. But in training, everybody is difficult to take because we have a lot of talent in this team. We know that we can score at every time, even if sometimes it’s a bit difficult. But I have confidence in my strikers and I know they will always score for us.
"The most important thing is not to concede goals at the beginning. With players like Raheem [Sterling], like Pierre-Emerick, we know can score a lot. He will give us his experience and I hope he will have a big season this year, score a lot of goals, and try to win something.”
You said after arriving that it would take you some time to adapt to English football, has it been harder than you expected?
“No, I expected this. It is hard to move eight years of my life to come to London. I know that I have reached a big club, one of the best clubs in the world, so everything is hard. But we all have to work. I think my time will come. I am easy, I know that it’s a normal process. So I have to keep on working, stay passionate and my time will come.
"I am not worried about anything, I just want Chelsea to win the games as we did at the weekend. We showed a lot of good things this weekend and I am really happy for the team and everybody because we have a good team spirit and it’s difficult when you change a manager. But you see this team is going up and up and I hope that tomorrow we will show a lot of good things to win the game.”
What have you missed about Italy and Naples in particular and what characteristics that you showed at Napoli will you need to be Milan?
“Yes, it’s true, I arrived here two months ago and I do miss Napoli and Naples but it was my choice. I wanted to come here to London, I wanted to come and join this club, one of the best in the world. We knew it would be difficult, everybody says so. Even some of the best coaches in the world said so because everyone knows that to go from Italy to England is difficult. But I was ready to take on this challenge.
"At the moment, we are going through a process that is normal and I am working very hard. I like it here and I’m very happy to be there. For tomorrow’s game, we know our opponents and I know them personally.
"We know they are very dangerous and are capable of doing anything. They won Serie A last season but we saw that Napoli beat them at home this season, we watched the tape on that game. They are dangerous but we have the key to unlock them and win the game. We hope that is what we will do tomorrow and I hope the Napoli fans will be with us tomorrow.”
Do you believe that Napoli can win Serie A this year and do you regret leaving Napoli given they might be able to win Serie A?
“It’s a Napoli that are fulfilling a lot of people’s dreams. They are doing really well in Serie A and I’m really happy for them. I am a Napoli fan for them at the moment but no, I have no regrets. I am very happy to be there and everyone cares for me here: the players and the fans. For that, I’m very grateful.
"It’s true I’m a Napoli fan and I want them to win Serie A and I hope that’s what they will do. But of course, today I play for a great club and they need me and I’ll do everything I can to contribute to the team. I feel really good in London even though – and it’s normal – I miss some factors of the life in Naples.”
Has the pace of the Premier League shocked or surprised you?
“It’s true that the pace is a little bit different than Italian football but I am really happy to be here and part of the Premier League. It was one of my dreams to play here in this football and I am here so I am really happy. I know it has been difficult for some players to come here, I spoke about it with a lot of people. They told me to be aware about this.
"I am easy and I know it will come. And when my moment will come, I will be 100% and give everything for the club. The coach has confidence in me and will give me my time because we have a lot of games. So when he gives my that opportunity, I will give everything to help Chelsea win the game and be part of the process to win something this year. I hope it will be soon but for the moment, I keep on working in training and I hope that I play soon.”
What’s it been like working under Graham Potter and how have the players bought into his methods?
“We know that when we change trainer it is tough for the group and the players but Mr. Potter comes with his ideas. He spoke with us, he told us what he wanted on and off the pitch. This is most important. He gave the rules and the players gave some rules. So we are living in a good way in the moment and we will keep on going to give everything he wants on the pitch.
"It’s a bit tough but it’s the beauty of football, we have to always improve and show everybody we want to be the best. We want to show everybody we ware a big team with a lot of talented players. You saw at the weekend, we are making a good team. We showed a lot of character and I hope we show it tomorrow because it’s important we move forward and show the Chelsea fans they can trust us and believe in us to win something.”
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