Conte’s so tired he lost plot on Ross
ANTONIO CONTE is feeling the strain caused by Chelsea’s punishing schedule.
The Premier League champions’ clash with Norwich in tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay is their ninth game in a month.
It has exhausted their manager so much, he was not even aware Ross Barkley was ineligible to make his Chelsea debut tonight.
The midfielder’s transfer from Everton was not completed in time to play the first game, a goalless draw at Carrow Road, and as such that means he cannot feature this evening.
Conte had initially planned to give Barkley his first game time for his new club until a chat with assistant Carlo Cudicini.
“I only found out two days ago,” said Conte. “Carlo informed me about this new situation.
“Two days ago I was sure Ross could play. Not to start, but for sure, to play a part of the game.”
When asked directly if he was tired, Conte said: “No, no, no. Yes. Maybe. This is the first time for me. Last season was my first season but we didn’t play Champions League or Carabao Cup, because we lost Carabao Cup in the second game and were out.
“Maybe it’s a busy period more for me because I have to prepare the game in only three days. Anyone who knows me, I don’t just prepare the game only to pick the starting XI. I prepare the game on particular aspects.
“I’m working a lot in this period. But this is our job and we must be happy because it means we are playing for all competitions.
“It’s not enough to work only here to prepare games every three days. I continue to work at home. To watch videos.”
Conte wants the authorities to act on fixture congestion.
“We must prefer the quality and not the quantity,” he said. “In this case, if we reduce the product only for money, this is not good for the football. You are diluting the quality.
“We have to try to protect the players and, this way, you are not protecting the players.”
Conte’s immediate response will be to play a youthful side against Championship team Norwich, with Ethan Ampadu, 17, to start in a defence that includes David Luiz.
Conte addressed questions over whether Eden Hazard was happy with being substituted on so many occasions since his return from an ankle injury.
“This is not important,” he said. “I’m the coach. I decide. It’s not important if one player is happy or not. My first task is to do the best for the team and the club, not to make every player happy. Otherwise we’d risk finishing 20th in the table.
“There is always this question about whether I’m worried about making my players happy. No, I’m worried to win. One of the first things they taught me was this. The most important thing is to win, and to try to be honest in your choice. To try to have in every situation loyalty.
“Maybe in the first moment a player could be angry. But after they reflect, they understand you are an honest person and every choice is for the best for the team, and not because one player is more favoured.”
Norwich boss Daniel Farke feels his players have a free shot tonight at setting up a fourthround tie with Newcastle. “I’m hoping for another brilliant performance against one of the giants, and we’ll have a special plan,” said Farke.
“Hopefully with a really good performance and, if Chelsea aren’t at their very best, then we’ll always have a chance.
“It will be important to keep as much possession as possible, because we don’t want to be running after the ball for 90 minutes.”