If I win the title with Chelsea it will be my greatest-ever achievement

NOBODY gave him a chance of winning the title. Not the bookies, not the pundits – not even the man himself.

But nine months on, Antonio Conte stands on the verge of what he believes will be his greatest achievement as a manager. The former Italy boss, who won three successive titles with Juventus, will tonight take a huge step towards winning the Double in his first season if Chelsea beat Southampton and go seven points ahead of closest rivals Tottenham. After a sluggish start to the season, Blues were 20-1 chances for the title. Seven months on, they are nearunbackable favourites. It has been a remarkable campaign for Conte, who was supposed to operate in the chorus line and leave the big stage for Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho . The Italian has worked miracles to turn around the fortunes of a team who finished 10th last season and admits to a sense of pride in his achievement. “Yes, for sure it would be my greatest achievement,” said Conte. “To win the title in England is a great achievement – for the coach, the players and the club. “We must be proud of our work. It has been a good season but there is only one way for it to become a fantastic season. To have this type of season hasn’t been easy but we have worked and worked and worked. Without this work, it’s very difficult to have this type of season.” Chelsea have been by far the most impressive team over the course of the campaign even though Tottenham have exerted some pressure. Blues meet Southampton tonight and 24 hours later Spurs face a tougher task at in-form Crystal Palace. Chelsea, who on Saturday reached the FA Cup final by beating their London title rivals 4-2, follow tonight’s clash against the Saints with their toughest remaining test - a trip to Everton on Sunday. Conte knows how important this week is for his title favourites – come through it unscathed and almost certainly they will be champions. The Italian said: “This is a crucial week for us. “We played to reach the final of the FA Cup and now, after two and a half days, we play against Southampton when they have rested for 10 days... it’s not easy. “Then we have another tough game against Everton away. “It’s an important week. We started it very well and I hope to continue it in this way. We must beat Southampton and then have to wait for the result of

the Tottenham’s game.” Eden Hazard says Chelsea’s players are determined to help Conte become one of the all-time managerial greats. Chelsea star Hazard underlined his admiration for Conte with a glowing insight into the Italian boss’s methods. Hazard, in an interview with bein Sports, said: “He has made his own history in Italy – now he wants to make his own history in England. “I think he is the kind of manager who wants to win everything. “He won a lot as a player, he will win a lot as a manager. “He used to play so he knows what to do in training to be ready for games. “He makes us play in the right position. We play, but he decides how.”