Best bits from De Zerbi's Chelsea press conference

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Here's the main talking points as the head coach looks ahead to Sunday's visit to Stamford Bridge.

Charlie Hanson

2023-12-03T06:00:00Z

Roberto De Zerbi's team have suffered just one defeat in their last ten outings in all competitions.

Roberto De Zerbi covered a range of topics in his press conference on Saturday, including Jack Hinshelwood, the win over AEK Athens and the improvement of Jan Paul van Hecke.

How impressed have you been with Jack Hinshelwood?

Jack's dad, Adam Hinshelwood, made over 100 appearances for Albion and is now the manager of Worthing.

His secret is his family. I know his father [Adam Hinshelwood], you can understand the guy you work with better when you know the family. He’s older than his age, he’s ready to play in the first XI in the Premier League and Europa League. The bigger credit is to the academy of Brighton because we can use a lot of young players and they are ready. Okay, they’re not as ready as other players in the squad but they can become important for us, not only Jack, but Josh Duffus played in the second half [against Athens], tomorrow other young players can come on the bench.

Is the win over AEK Athens still on your mind?

We are thinking about Chelsea. We have forgotten the game in Greece. We have to think about playing better to get points. To play in our style, with our idea [although] I must admit it’s a very tough period. But we can and we must turn problems into opportunities. We can think about injuries, about how many players we have lost, but otherwise we have to be focused on the game. We have enough to try to win tomorrow, it will be a difficult game but it’s a part of life, playing in difficulty. We can become better if we accept this moment, we can become better players, coaches and men.

How much has Jan Paul van Hecke improved?

Jan Paul van Hecke played a key role in Albion securing a 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest last weekend.

Jan Paul is one of the biggest improvers that I have seen in my career as a coach. He’s a surprise for me, every game is a surprise because from the first moment I started to be a coach here and now, he is totally different. He’s a big and great player. At the moment he deserves to play in the first XI. The improvement he has made, he can be important and in the future he could reach a new level.

When can we expect to see Julio Enciso back in action?

His recovery is going well. But I don’t think we will see him play this year, I hope to watch him on the pitch from January. Danny Welbeck can play before the end of the year and Welbeck is very important player for us, we’re suffering playing without Welbeck.

How important have the young players been to your team recently?

The academy of Brighton is top. They work very well. For example if I watch the under-21 game, I love the coach, how they play, it’s amazing. I am not used to speaking to the coaches of the academy because I don’t want to put pressure on them. But if they work as a coach for the under-21s, it’s an honour, they should be proud. It’s another secret of Brighton.