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48 CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte is expecting the upcoming Premier League season to be the toughest of his career as his team prepare to de- fend their title in an extremely com- petitive environment. Conte will lead Chelsea as they try to win back-to-back league titles for the first time since 2006 and the Italian is wary of the competition from fellow title contenders Tot- tenhan Hotspur, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United. "There are many reasons which suggest to me that next season will be very tough, the most difficult of my career, I have this perception," Conte told the club's website. (www. chelseafc.com) "In England the pressure is high, this is the strongest league in the world because there are six teams ready to fight for the title. Only one team can win it... "We want to try to fight for the ti- tle until the end but it won't be easy. We are working very well to try to do this. The pressure is always the same. I put pressure on myself and it helps me to give my best." Chelsea's newest recruit Alvaro Morata could feature in the Lon- don side's opening domestic fixture against FA Cup winners Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday and Conte believes the Spaniard could become one of the best in the world. "Morata is a really good player who can compete with every striker," Conte said. "He's a young player and my task is to help him improve and show his quality. I know he has great quality and he can become one of the best strikers in the world." Chelsea will begin their title de- fence by hosting Burnley at Stam- ford Bridge on Aug. 12. Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 AUGUST 2017 Subscribe to the e-paper Read the MaltaToday and MaltaToday midweek at 5am on the morning of publication on your Desktop, Tablet or Smartphone Subscribe now at www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/maltatodayepaper With any new annual subscription you will get a FREE copy of your choice either Saviour Balzan's 'Saying It As It Is' or 'GourmetToday 100 best recipes' worth over €20 Subscription options 1 edition: €0.80 3 months: €15.00 MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek 6 months: €28.00 MaltaToday and MaltaToday Midweek 12 months: €50.00 + FREE BOOK *best value* Next season will be toughest of my career, says Chelsea boss Conte Antonio Conte Former Malta stalwart Joe Cilia passes away JOE Cilia, regarded as one of the best Maltese players of his gen- eration, has passed away, aged 79. The robust defender was a member of the Malta team that played against Austria at the Em- pire Stadium, Gżira in 1957, the country's first official interna- tional match. Cilia was among the players who were honoured by the Malta Football Association during a reception held on February 24 to commemorate the 60th an- niversary of that landmark oc- casion for Maltese football. He went on to make 10 appearances for Malta, captaining the na- tional team once in the friendly match against Italy's C selection in 1964. After beginning his career with Rabat Ajax, his hometown club, Cilia moved to Valletta FC in 1956. With the Citizens, Cilia not only enhanced his reputation as one of the country's leading players but also won an array of honours. It says all about Cilia's tal- ent that he has won the cov- eted MFA Footballer of the Year award twice during his career, in seasons 1957/58 and 1963/64. Cilia also had a spell as player- coach of Sydney-based Melita Eagles after moving to Australia, where he also turned out for Sutherland and Corinthians. He eventually returned to Malta, re- joining Valletta in 1972. Cilia also enjoyed a successful coaching career, taking charge of a host of clubs, including Vallet- ta, Floriana, Hibernians and Ra- bat Ajax. During his spell at the helm of Rabat Ajax, Cilia steered the team to the top-flight title. The Malta Football Associa- tion is deeply saddened by the passing of one of the stalwarts of the Maltese game and sends its profound condolences to the family of Joe Cilia. Joe Cilia (right) with former Malta team-mate Lolly Borg during the reception commemorating 60 years of international football for the Maltese national team