EXCLUSIVE
Luca Marrone is an admirer of Antonio Conte’s management style and says it is “not a coincidence that he is doing great things” at Chelsea.
The former Italy U21 international is a product of Juventus’ academy system and worked with the Blues boss during his time in Turin.
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He also took in a loan spell at Siena under the enigmatic coach, offering him a first-hand experience of just how good the 47-year-old tactician is.
Marrone was suitably impressed by what he saw, with Conte “the complete perfectionist” who leaves nothing to chance.
That approach has served him well throughout his career, with Chelsea currently top of the Premier League table and about to start their 2016-17 FA Cup campaign.
Marrone told Goal on Conte: “He's a great coach and a great person.
“I had the opportunity to work with Conte both in Siena and in Turin, he's a complete perfectionist and, with the results in hand, it's not a coincidence that he is doing great things everywhere.”
While Conte left Juve in 2014 to take the reins of the Italy national side, Marrone remains on their books.
He is currently taking in a fifth loan spell in six years, at Belgian side Zulte Waregem, but is keeping a close eye on events back at his parent club and is tipping them to enjoy success at home and abroad in 2017.
On Juve, the 26-year-old said: “It is a close-knit group, a group that has won many things in the last few years and a group which doesn't lower its focus.
“I believe that, besides the championship, this team could do really well in the Champions League as well. I will support them even from Waregem.”
Marrone will also be monitoring the performances of a couple of former team-mates that he formed a close bond with in Turin but have since moved on to pastures new.
Pressed on which of his club colleagues he keeps in contact with, he selected a forward now back at Real Madrid and a striker taking in a loan spell at West Ham.
He said: “I’m in touch with many of them, particularly with [Alvaro] Morata and [Simone] Zaza. I established an excellent relationship with both of them and I wish them the best.”
