RUSSIAN SPY
Blues feel the chill as owner pays visit
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has made a rare visit to the Chelsea training ground this week.
Blues boss Antonio Conte admits he is under pressure after the Champions League humiliation against Roma. Chelsea could be 12 points behind leaders Manchester City by the time they kick off against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
But Conte insists his relationship with the club’s billionaire Russian owner
is strong. Abramovich is not a frequent visitor to Chelsea’s Cobham HQ and has a reputation for being trigger happy with Blues’ managers.
But Conte said: “My relationship is the same as last season. I don’t see a difference. I know I have to do my job. My only worry is to do my job with everything I have.”
Abramovich visited the Blues’ training ground back in February 2012 (below), when Andre Villas-Boas was in charge. He was sacked 23 days later. But a visit last season – after Chelsea lost 3-0 to Arsenal – had a positive effect as Conte changed tactics and the Blues ran away with the title.
Conte added: “I like the pressure. I was born with it. This is very important. I’m a passionate man with a great enthusiasm. I need to feel this type of pressure.”