Money talks

Conte: Chelsea should be worried by City spending strategy

LONDON: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says Manchester City’s summer spending improved an already “fantastic” team and the Italian is worried his side will fall further behind the English Premier League leaders if they fail to get it right in the transfer market.

Defending champions Chelsea picked up a late point at Anfield on Saturday but slipped 11 points behind City, who beat Huddersfield 2-1.

“I think Manchester City in this season are a strong team,” said Conte.

“Also last season, they were a fantastic team. Then, after the transfer market, they bought their first targets and then they have improved a lot.

“They can do this also in January maybe, in the future.

“For this reason we must be worried because if we want to compete with Manchester City we have to work and then make the best decisions in the transfer market.”

City, who strengthened with the signings of Benjamin Mendy, Kyle Walker, Bernardo Silva, Ederson and Danilo, have taken 37 points from a possible 39 this season.

Chelsea’s top transfer targets include Alex Sandro, Ciro Immobile, Radja Nainggolan and Jamie Vardy.

Conte was angry at a lack of spending over the summer as he sought to strengthen his title-winning squad.

Conte added: “I think when you play every three days it’s very difficult but every coach tries to make the best decision for his team.

“It’s important to have rotation otherwise you risk having players who are very tired, in this case Cesc (Fabregas).

“He’s played every game from the start of the season because don’t forget, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater were injured.” And he claimed depth had been an issue after a series of midfield injuries.

However, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said a busy run of fixtures before the end of the year could see City start to drop points.

“December is a very tough month,” he said. “We have to be there to keep on winning and hopefully close down on them, then towards the end of the season maybe overtake them.

“But at the moment they are the best team in the league.”

Chelsea host Swansea in the league tomorrow while City welcome Southampton.