Manchester City vs. Chelsea: Antonio Conte's Key Pre-Match Presser Comments

Antonio Conte has hinted that Chelsea should not have let Kevin De Bruyne leave Stamford Bridge after admitting it is a "pity" the Belgian playmaker plays for another club.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea's clash with Manchester City on Saturday, the Italian also said that he believes Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur can maintain a challenge for the Premier League title.

His praise for De Bruyne was echoed in his kind words towards Pep Guardiola, a manager he said he has a lot of respect for.

Conte's most revealing statement on De Bruyne, who left Chelsea for Wolfsburg in 2014, was tweeted by Nizaar Kinsella of Goal.com:

The 47-year-old had kind words for his opposite number, applauding Guardiola for the start he has made as manager, per Kinsella:

He went on to compare his own game to Guardiola's, saying the Catalan was more technically gifted but did not run as much as himself, per Matt McGeehan of the Press Association:

Conte spoke of how hard his team had worked, particularly in reviewing their first-half performance against Spurs, in order to ensure that they continue with their good form. He was also keen to point out that Spurs are genuine title contenders, as per Kinsella:

Conte may have only good things to say about Guardiola, but that could change after Saturday's game.

Chelsea are on a seven-match winning streak as the Italian enters his first-ever head-to-head with the Manchester City manager. It promises to be one of the most intriguing matches of the Premier League season so far, but a match-winning moment from De Bruyne would be a kick in the teeth for the Chelsea boss and the club's supporters.