Antonio Conte tips Nemanja Matic to once again become 'one of the best in the world'

There have been plenty of questions over the future of Nemanja Matic this summer, but even though Juventus are about to lose Pogba and Chelsea have signed a guaranteed first-choice player in N'Golo Kanté, Matić looks set to stay at Stamford Bridge, with head coach Antonio Conte tipping the big midfielder for great success.

"Matic is an important player for me, a very important player. In my idea of football he is an important player and he knows this. I am delighted with his attitude and behaviour and I see in him a great commitment. I know with his work he can become a fantastic midfielder, one of the best in the world in my opinion."

-Antonio Conte: source:  Chelsea FC

Matić was easily one of the best in the world already once, but after last season, he's got plenty of catching up to do.  Can he do that with Kanté taking the most minutes, alongside either Oscar, or Fàbregas or Mikel or Matić himself?  Probably not, but maybe the confidence shown in him by the manager so far this pre-season will set him up for success this coming season.