Conte has axe factor
It’s tough guy Conte
ANTONIO CONTE axed David Luiz yesterday – then warned none of his stars are safe.
Luiz was not even on the bench as Alvaro Morata’s goal sunk Manchester United.
The centre-back paid the price for his display and attitude in the 3-0 Champions League defeat at Roma on Tuesday.
A Stamford Bridge source confirmed last night Luiz had a major falling-out with Conte after that beating.
The Blues boss hinted yesterday the 30-year-old could be on his way out of the club with Luiz yesterday replaced by Andreas Christensen.
Conte said he “doesn’t know” if Luiz has a future at Chelsea, adding: “He has to work really
did not shake hands at the final whistle. Mourinho said Conte had walked away, adding: “You want me to go and chase him in the middle of the pitch?”
Conte said: “It’s not important. It’s important to win the game. You have to have the respect on the pitch not outside the pitch.
“I went to shake the hand of the referee, the linesmen and then my players. I think that shaking the hands two times is enough.” successive defeat at Stamford Bridge. The United boss said: “We are second, we are not fifth or sixth or seventh or eighth, so we have 18 teams in a more difficult position than we have.
“We went through a very difficult phase with probably the most important matches, Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea, without important players.
“I don’t like to speak about it, but it is obvious through a difficult period with limitations.” Conte and Mourinho hard, otherwise they are on the bench or in the stand.”
The hardline boss also said other Blues stars face the same treatment if they let their standards slip.
“This can happen to every one of my players, if I see that they are not in good form,” he said.
In April, Conte hailed Luiz as one of the best defenders in the world, but last night he said: “It can change. I must take the best decision for the club, not for a single player. Christensen is the present and the future for Chelsea.”
Conte also hinted he was acting tough due to doubts about his own prospects at staying at Chelsea.
“Every game, every day, someone puts my future in discussion, in question,” he said.
After sniping at Conte for moaning about injuries, Jose Mourinho used his absentees as an excuse for his third