Conte: I’ve given 120 per cent to sort Blues

ANTONIO CONTE says he should be seen as a hero after his efforts this season.

Twelve months ago the Italian and his Chelsea players paraded the Premier League trophy around an ecstatic Stamford Bridge.

And only a narrow defeat to Arsenal in last year’s FA Cup Final denied the Blues the Double.

Conte and his squad have the chance to make up for that loss when they return to Wembley today.

But the circumstances ahead of today’s showdown with Jose Mourinho’s side could hardly be more different.

Troubled

Chelsea arrive at the national stadium after a dismal title defence left them outside the top four and facing Europa League football next season.

And Conte’s grip on his own position has been weakening ever since last summer’s troubled transfer window.

The Italian is expected to be shown the door when the curtain comes down on a campaign to forget.

Conte admits he is unsure how things took a turn for the worse but maintains that whatever happens, he deserves praise for his work this season.

He said: “I didn’t change my commitment for the club. My commitment has always been the same. Maybe this season we worked harder than last season. I don’t know if something has changed from last season. We were heroes for Chelsea’s fans.

“Now our status, me and the players, has changed.

“I don’t know. But in my soul and my heart, I’m always a hero because I gave 120 per cent, also this season to solve the problems.”

He added: “In every season you must divide the responsibility, positive or negative, into three parts: club, manager and players.

“Last season we were heroes. This season we are... I don’t know what we are to people, but I don’t care. It doesn’t matter.”

Conte has yet to win a knockout trophy as a manager and maintains the challenge to Chelsea is to build on success if they beat United today.

“When you win, you must understand which is the best way to improve,” added Conte.

“Last season we won, and we divided this big win with the players and with the club. Now, this season, we finished fifth.

“We have to play another final in the FA Cup, and we must divide the responsibility with the club, the manager and the players in the same way, and then to try and gain experience.”