CONTE LASHES OUTAGAIN
Chelsea boss in dig at club’s transfer business as he tells players they must share blame for difficult season
ANTONIO CONTE has taken another swipe at Chelsea’s transfer business – then told his players they must share the blame for the club’s poor season.
The Italian is hanging on to the FA Cup as Chelsea’s last chance of silverware, but the Blues may also struggle to attract top stars next term if they are not in the Champions League. He could not resist a dig at last summer’s signings on the back of their title success, while also making it clear the players must accept some responsibility for bad results. Blues boss Conte said: “I don’t know if it’s a problem to attract a great player or not. “Last season we won the title, and yep, you can see our transfer market. It is not the most important thing if you stay in the Champions League or win. Last season, we won the title…
“Like last season, when we won the title and reached the final of the FA Cup, it’s always the same – we must be ready to share the responsibility with the club, the players, me and my staff.
“Don’t forget that two years ago Chelsea finished 10th, with many players of this season. They decided to continue to play for this club, two years ago.
“I don’t know if they will leave. I think this is not a question for me. This is a question for the players.”
Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois face uncertain futures with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain both watching developments.
Real could be ready to move for Hazard (inset), while Chelsea may have to sell Courtois (above) unless he signs a new deal, as his current contract expires in 2019.
Conte’s own future is even more uncertain – or it looks increasingly certain he will leave – after Chelsea crashed out of Europe with the FA Cup their last chance of a trophy.
He said: “Every trophy is important for us. We start the season to try to fight until the end, for every competition.
“League Cup semi-final, Champions League last 16. Now it’s the FA Cup, a quarter-final. If we win, we play another semi-final at Wembley in this competition.
“Every competition is important for us, we try to do our best in all of them. This must be our target.
“We have to try to do both (top four and FA Cup). It won’t be easy in the Cup because Leicester is a good team.
“Then to try to do our best in the league, to try to find a place in the Champions League. But it won’t be easy.”
Former Italy boss Conte (top) also revealed Gareth Southgate had spoken to Gary Cahill about being dropped from the England squad.
Conte added: “I don’t want to speak about the coach’s decision. Ask him (Southgate) why Cahill is not on the list.
“There is only one way to get into the squad – to work hard and show that you deserve to play.
“To show you deserve to go to the World Cup.”