Big danger is season collapsing

WHEN Chelsea managers take on Roman Abramovich, there is only one winner. Antonio Conte has been baiting Chelsea’s owner by questioning the club’s recruitment and demanding backing from the board. Conte is a clever man who knows exactly what he is doing. He is trying to put pressure on Abramovich but is pushing all the wrong buttons. At some point, the Russian’s patience will run out. I have sympathy for Conte. He is an excellent coach and will feel he earned the right to strengthen his squad after winning the Premier League. This has not been a disastrous season for Chelsea. They are in the top four, the fifth round of the FA Cup and have a Champions League date with Barcelona on the horizon. But there is a real danger it could all unravel. When Conte has been under pressure before, he has delivered on the pitch. His players have shown resolve and come out fighting for their manager. That has not been the case in these recent abject performances against Bournemouth and Watford. With trips to Manchester United and Manchester City sandwiched between the two legs against Barcelona, it is a question of whether Abramovich trusts Conte to turn things around.