Antonio Conte has confirmed that Nemanja Matic is happy to remain at Chelsea and won’t be joining Juventus this summer.
Matic’s future at Stamford Bridge has continued to be the source of great speculation even though Conte told Standard sport last month that he was not for sale.
It has been reported in Italy this week that Matic held a meeting with Conte to ask for a move to Juventus, only to be persuaded to stay in west London by the new Chelsea coach.
Conte refused to confirm whether talks with Matic specifically took place, but made it clear that the Serbia international is a key part of his plans.
The former Italy coach, who has played Matic in every pre-season match this summer, told Standard Sport: “I speak with all my players a lot.
"Usually when you arrive at a new club it is important to get to know your players and all the aspects. It is important to understand and to listen why the last season was so bad.
“For a new coach it is important to go inside the problem, to go into the head of the players and to solve the situation.
“Nemanja is an important player for me. He knows this. There isn’t a problem with him. He was a Chelsea player and is Chelsea’s player.”
Meanwhile, Conte has also confirmed that 20-year-old forward Bertrand Traore is joining Ajax on a season-long loan.
Traore scored two goals for the Blues in friendly games against RZ Pellets and AC Milan, but Conte wants him to play regularly elsewhere and the forward committed his future to the club by signing a new three-year deal on Friday.
As Standard Sport revealed yesterday, Ajax have paid a £1.7m loan fee for the Burkina Faso star and his departure leaves a gap in the squad for another forward to arrive.
But Conte said his departure is only temporary and added: “It is confirmed - he is going on loan to Ajax.
“He is a good player. Together with the club we prefer for him to play a full season, to play every game and then to come back because he is a good prospect for Chelsea.”
