TRASH TALK Conte rages at calls for his head as sack rumours persist
PARDS: DAN’S NOT OUT FOR REVENGE
PASSION PLAY: Antonio Conte
Nov 2017: West Brom 0 Chelsea 4 May 2017: West Brom 0 Chelsea 1 Dec 2016: Chelsea 1 West Brom 0 Jan 2016: Chelsea 2 West Brom 2 Aug 2015: West Brom 2 Chelsea 3 WEST BROM boss Alan Pardew has rubbished the idea Daniel Sturridge will have revenge on the brain against crisis-torn Chelsea tomorrow. Albion’s on-loan Liverpool striker struggled during a tough three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge.
Between 2009 and 2013, Sturridge (left) failed to become a Blues regular, scoring only 13 goals in
62 league outings.
The England hitman, 28, was eventually loaned to Bolton – before being sold off to Liverpool for
£12million. But ahead of rock-bottom Albion’s trip
Chelsea – 59 wins West Brom – 43 wins Draws – 35
CHELSEA manager Antonio Conte believes it would be ‘stupid’ to sack him with the
club chasing honours.
The Italian is fed up with the rumours about his future and the continued silence from the club. He wants backing or sacking in their hunt for a top-four finish and silverware. In January, he was given the signings the club wanted – not him – but accepts that is part of football. Conte is still the darling of most fans and wants nothing more than to add to the club’s success. And he also knows Chelsea have won trophies despite chopping and changing managers but will not go without a fight.
He wants trust, which is sadly lacking from the club.
He still has unfinished business and said: “In my opinion, you continue to work with a manager or coach not because of what he achieves in one season but because you trust in him. Then you build something with him. “But it does not mean you have to win a trophy, because that’s not easy. “Especially in England, it’s not simple.
“But the way I see it, you can win but at the same time, the club might not be happy to stay with to Antonio Conte’s struggling champs, Pardew denied that rejection would provide one-time Man City starlet Sturridge with added motivation to pile the agony on his old club.
The Hawthorns head coach said: “I don’t really take any of that into account – and I don’t think it’s relevant.”
Instead, Pardew believes getting back into the England team, with the World Cup finals looming, is a more meaningful aim for Sturridge. He added: you. For this reason, it’s right to send the coach away.
“At the same time, you can trust in a coach and his work and continue with him even if you don’t win, and try and build something important. There are two ways. There is a stupid way and an intelligent way.
“This is my opinion. At the same time, I have great respect for every opinion. If the club decides to send me away, I don’t know when, it’ll be because they’re not happy with my work.”
Chelsea face West Brom tomorrow night on the back of defeats against Bournemouth and Watford.
But Conte still believes he has the backing of the dressing room, and added: “I don’t think talking about my future can affect the players. Otherwise, from the first game we lost against Burnley, this could have happened.
“My players are not used to it, but they are getting used to these rumours and speculation.
“But I’m very happy. The players show me every day they want to overcome this situation. This situation, I repeat, we are talking about a team that is fourth in the league, that is preparing to face the game against Barcelona.
“We are in the FA Cup competition and we reached the semi-finals in the Carabao Cup.
“Yeah, we understand that when you lose two games in a row, the situation is not simple.
“But, maybe, we are making it difficult for this team.
“We are not fighting relegation as many seem to think we are. There are a lot of rumours and speculation, despite what we are doing we are keeping our expectations.
“I don’t think that anyone expected us to win the title. If I remember back, there were two teams fighting for the title, both from Manchester. Also last season.
“We started behind. For this reason, there is too much speculation around this club, around me, around this team.
“I understand that we have to live with this pressure, and it’s okay for me and my players.”
Chelsea v West Brom, Tomorrow,
8pm, Sky Sports Main Event “Daniel’s not mentioned England to me – it was me who suggested it because I feel that’s still a realistic target for him.
“In the bigger picture, if I was Gareth Southgate, I’d be taking a close look every game he plays.”
And Pardew revealed he has been the model professional since his shock deadline-day arrival.
The ex-Crystal Palace boss added: “In terms of his character and the way he’s conducted himself, he’s been spot on.
“He’s not tried to big it up or be something that is above us. He’s come in, dug in, and worked.”