Leave the football to Conte

THE suggestion at Chelsea is that Antonio Conte has been firmly put in his place after a summer of simmering discontent. Certainly, his demeanour before the Tottenham game was lighter than it has been. The match itself, however, revealed the identity of the true football expert at Chelsea. Not Roman Abramovich, not Michael Emenalo, not Marina Granovskaia — not any of the wider group involved in the decision-making process. It is Abramovich’s money, so he calls the shots. But the man who really knows, is Conte (right). Nobody else at the club could have won with the team Chelsea put out on Sunday — and not many other managers, too. It might be an idea to listen and, within reason, give the man what he wants.