ROMAN’S LET ME DOWN
® ANTONIO CONTE has accused Chelsea of not matching his ambitions.
Renewing his attack on owner Roman Abramovich and the board, the Italian claimed Manchester City will leave Chelsea trailing in their wake for years unless they match the Premier League leaders’ spending.
Fifth-placed Chelsea take on City at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow and defeat will see them drop 25 points behind the champions-elect.
Chelsea’s woeful attempt to defend their title has left Conte angry at the club’s lack of consultation regarding transfer policy.
“I have great ambition, but I don’t have money to spend for Chelsea,” said Conte, who is set to be replaced by former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique in the summer. “The club knows what my ambitions are.
“When you decide to work with this type of coach, you understand you take on a coach with great ambition. Not a loser – a winner.
“It’s very important to have a coach and club with the same ambition – to improve the team, the quality of the players.
“If you have this situation, you can win the league, the FA Cup, the Champions League.”
Splash
Conte also warned the situation will only get worse if no action is taken, with City set to splash even more cash in the summer.
He added: “The league this year was finished after the first part of the season. City won it then.
“This is a great frustration for me, my players, my club. If your name is Chelsea, you have to fight until the end.
“City are on a fantastic path. When there is a great feeling between manager and club, you can work the way you want.
“City also had the possibility to spend a lot of money. When you link these two – a good manager and money to spend – and have the same ambition, this is the result.
“When there is confidence and money to spend, one plus one equals two.
“Pep (Guardiola) has shown himself to be a great coach. It will be very difficult now for other teams to fight City.
“This is a great danger for the other teams, for a long time.”
Admitting he now faces a fight to secure a top-four spot, Conte added: “Every club has to understand what their target is. Now, we have to try to get a place in the Champions League.
“Last season, we did a fantastic job. But you have to continue to build something important with your coach.”