Chelsea are paying price for Asia trip, says Conte

ANTONIO Conte believes Chelsea’s decision to play a pre-season tour in Asia has hindered his side’s chances in the Champions League.

The Italian is far from happy with life at the moment following Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at West Ham and the pairing of his side with the might of Barcelona in the first knockout stages of European competition.

It is his small squad’s failure to handle two games in a week that has upset him the most with Alvaro Morata the latest player to succumb to the gruelling schedule after it was revealed he will miss tonight’s trip to Huddersfield Town due to fatigue.

Conte was also keen to stress he is Chelsea’s head coach and not manager in comments that appear like a thinly-veiled attack on Michael Emenalo, who left as the club’s technical director last month.

“I think we have to face the reality and will try to do our best,” Conte said when assessing the draw. “If I stay here to complain it is not the right way.

“For sure it is difficult because to face a game every three days is not simple, especially if your squad is not big, but at the same time we have to face this situation,” said Conte.

“We have to try to do our best. Some players can be tired, that’s normal because some are playing from this summer and our tours in China and Singapore.”

When asked if the January transfer window can help Chelsea turn around their current predicament, Conte responded: “I don’t know because in January you have to wait until the right time to adapt new players in our idea of football.

“I have to be realistic, we have to face this situation with these players. I’m happy to play with these players. January is too far away and I don’t know what will happen in January.

“I’m the coach, I can give my opinion, but the club have to take the best decision in the

Fitness woes: Antonio Conte believes Chelsea are struggling with fatigue during a busy schedule

summer, in January, next summer. It’s normal, in every team, the coach speaks to his club. We can have an idea but you can have an idea in summer.

“But the final decision is always the club’s. That will be the same in January. It is right to do this, I’m only the coach and not sporting director or manager.”

Morata will be a big loss for Chelsea tonight as they attempt to put a disappointing defeat at West Ham behind them. The striker has 10 goals this season and has played a major role.

Confirming Morata has not made the trip, Conte said: “Morata is out because he’s a bit tired and there is a problem in his back. He is out.

“It is normal that you play with the same players and then they also lose some physical condition. I think when you play every three days it is impossible to have a training session and to work on the physical aspects.

“It’s impossible, it’s impossible because you have to prepare with the players for a game every three days.

“For example, we played against West Ham on Saturday and, yesterday the group that played were rested.

“Then today we had just 50 minutes of training for the players who played against West Ham to prepare for Huddersfield.”

Chelsea should have Danny Drinkwater available after he recovered from illness, but Conte does not expect him to be 100 per cent as he recovers from the after effects of his fever, but David Luiz is still sidelined