Clement: Only our best will do

Paul Clement admits Swansea City must be close to their best at Chelsea on Wednesday as they bid to build momentum after the draw with Bournemouth.

The Swans delivered a much-improved display against the Cherries on Saturday as they ended a four-game Premier League losing streak.

Clement’s side were unfortunate not to take all three points against Bournemouth, with Wilfried Bony seeing a goal controversially ruled out.

But the nature of the performance – and a first point gained in five games – has lifted the Swans’ spirits ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge.

Now Clement is urging his players to produce the kind of display which could trouble Antonio Conte’s Premier League champions.

“It’s a tough ask. We go away from home and we will possibly have less of the ball than we would like,” said the Swans manager.

“But it’s not a shot to nothing. We believe we can go anywhere and get a result, but to do that we have to make sure we are at a high level in all areas.

“We have to be absolutely focused, we have to be at our best defensively and well-organised at set-plays and, if we get a chance, we have to take it.

“Clearly, we’ll have to defend well. If you do that, teams throw more players forward and that opens up more spaces for you to attack.

“We are not just going there to defend and I will choose a team to try to create some chances.

“It’s a big ask going to Chelsea and trying to get a win, but we have been to a lot of the big clubs and we pushed them very, very hard.

“When chances do come, we have to be very clinical.”

Chelsea have not quite hit the heights of last season so far in 2017-18, but Conte’s team lie third in the table and have lost only three league games this term.

And Clement is a big admirer of the club where he formerly served as assistant manager.

“They are a very strong team,” he said.

“I know they are trailing a couple of other teams at the moment, but Chelsea are very strong and they are packed with talent.

“Antonio Conte is a really good manager. He has a lot of experience and he has a very good team.”