FIGHT FOUR THE RIGHT
Conte ready to battle for Champions League spot
ANTONIO CONTE has told his Chelsea stars to brace themselves for a top-four “war”.
While the title looks out of reach, Blues boss Conte left his squad in no doubt about the battle they have on their hands to claim a Champions League place. Chelsea are fourth, 15 points off leaders Manchester City, and just three ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham.
Two league draws during their stumbling start to 2018 has seen Conte’s men fall into the final Champions League spot.
And he said: “We have a great motivation, to try to finish the league in the final four. But it won’t be easy.
“I want to be very clear: we are in January, and it will be very difficult – not only for us, but also the other teams.
“It will be a big fight, a big war, with five teams – apart from City – for only three more places.”
“This target is very prestigious for every team because this competition, the Champions League, is the biggest in the world for clubs.”
Conte’s demeanour was downbeat when he faced the media yesterday, but the former Italy boss said: “We must be optimistic.
“There are four months to play. Good targets. We are in the semifinal of the League Cup with the possibility of reaching the final, the fourth round of the FA Cup, the Champions League, and we’re fighting for a Champions League place in the league.
“We must be optimistic and continue to work. Our work must give us the right optimism.” Chelsea will be without suspended duo Pedro and Alvaro Morata, plus injured pair Gary Cahill and Cesc Fabregas, when they chase their first win this year at Brighton today.
Pedro and Morata are banned after being sent off for two bookings in Wednesday’s FA Cup penalty shootout win against Norwich.
Winger Pedro’s first yellow was for diving and Conte admitted: “We must be honest and accept Pedro dived. In this case, Pedro understood this mistake.”
Striker Morata’s dismissal came after he was also booked for taking a tumble, before being shown a second yellow for his furious reaction to not getting a penalty.
Conte added: “If the referee doesn’t want to give the penalty, in this situation it’s still not right to book him.
“But, at the same time, you must learn to control yourself. He has to check himself in the future.”