Wat a mess!
ANTONIO CONTE now looks set to get a P45 (pink slip) – not a vote of confidence. This latest shocking setback took Chelsea’s current form to just two wins from the last 10 matches.
Yesterday’s dire 4-1 defeat, five days after an embarrassing 3-0 home loss to Bournemouth, will surely have owner Roman Abramovich’s finger ready press the eject button.
The Russian billionaire is about as patient as a spoilt child at Christmas and Conte’s days look numbered.
“Sacked in the morning,” sang the delighted home support and “Champions of England, you’re having a laugh”.
Abramovich, you can bet, won’t have found it amusing that his men conceded goals to Troy Deeney – a penalty – Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra, with Eden Hazard giving the Blues a brief hint of hope with an equaliser.
Usually so emotional, Conte wore a mask last night as his unhappy second season took a massive turn for the worse.
Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football presenter Dave Jones if he thinks Conte will still be in charge for that clash.
“There’s a good chance he could go before then,” Carragher said.
“Not just because of how Chelsea are playing but because of Chelsea’s history of changing managers when the club fear
“Tomorrow is another day. I can be the Chelsea coach or not, what is the problem?” said Conte. “I go to sleep without a problem.
“I try to do everything and, if this is enough ok, otherwise the club take a different decision. The life goes on.”
Defeat leaves Chelsea still lagging in fourth and just a point ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the battle for the top four.
Conte has repeatedly complained throughout the campaign at his lack of input towards the club’s recruitment strategy.
Once more the Italian lined up without a recognised striker at Vicarage Road with Alvaro Morata sidelined by injury and new-signing Olivier Giroud deemed fit enough only for a place on the bench.
However, Conte also delivered some stinging criticism to his players, who he said “played with fear”.
“I try to continue to work to try to improve different aspects of my players, but today I think our performance was very poor,” added Conte.
“For sure I have to take the responsibility because maybe I made the wrong decision for the starting XI.
“To play football in a big club it means you must have personality. It is simple to play when there is the confidence.
“In this type of moment you can see who is (made) for a great club, to play with personality to risk something.”
Chelsea’s task wasn’t made any easier when Tiemoue Bakayoko was sent-off after just half an hour for two quickfire bookable offences.
Deeney’s penalty put the hosts in front just before the break, but Chelsea were offered a lifeline eight minutes from time by a brilliant 25-yard strike from Hazard.
And Conte was particularly annoyed with his side’s reaction in the closing stages as they conceded three times in the final six minutes.
“In the second-half I saw great will and desire, but a lot of confusion. We were able to draw and I think in that moment we must be good to manage the situation, to understand the moment.
“A great team must do this, instead in 10 minutes we concede three goals.”
Conte also refused to accept injuries and fatigue are the reason for the stark difference in Chelsea’s performances in results from his first season where they didn’t have the distraction of European football.
“For sure it is a difficult moment and if we want to find excuses or alibis always we can find everything,” added Conte.
“This is not my way to face the situation to solve the problem.
“The winner finds a solution, the loser finds excuses. In my life I like to be a winner and I am a winner.”
Before kickoff, Cheslea fans had made the home fans laugh by singing “Barcelona, we’re coming for you” in reference to their upcoming Champions League clash.
Perhaps they should change the last few words now to “your ex-manager” after yesterday’s capitulation. – Daily Star / AFP