Perhaps what every player would expect of their manager is for the leader of the team to hold firm his belief for season objectives, but Antonio Conte charts a different course.
The Italian manager, keen to remain honest in the face of adversity, cuts the figure of a man who is devoid of confidence, and one wonders what he tells the players in the dressing room.
Following Chelsea’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield on Wednesday, what Chelsea fans may have expected from their manager, was some hope-filled word that encourages everyone connected to the club to hold on to their belief until the final minute in the season.
However, Conte made a shocking admission that would send chills down the spine of many Chelsea fans. The former Italy manager conceded Chelsea will not make the Champions League heading into the final game of the season against Newcastle next weekend.
“I’m realistic, and I think at the end of the season you finish in the position you deserve. We dropped many points this season, and if we stay in fifth it means we deserve it.
Now we have to focus on finishing this season. We have another league game to play, then an FA Cup final, then the club will do the best to improve the situation.â€
Antonio Conte, Express
