CONTE COUNTS COST

IT was soon after winning the title in 2017 that Antonio Conte signalled the beginning of the end.

Without informing the Chelsea board, he texted Diego Costa to tell the prolific striker that he was out.

Then, despite the club’s capture of £58million Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid, Conte (right) claimed he had eyes for Tottenham’s Harry Kane. Then there was Kyle Walker.

The drip-feed of Conte’s moans over money proved too much.

With 12 months left on his £9.5m-a-year deal, parting with Conte will sting, but Chelsea want a man to work with what he has – not one who keeps asking for more.