Jealousy of Chelsea no worry for Conte

ANTONIO Conte is relaxed about record-chasing Chelsea being the target of jealousy and understands if most people want Tottenham to win tonight’s derby clash.

The Premier League l eaders, seeking a single-season record 14th successive win at White Hart Lane, were described as “privileged” by former boss Jose Mourinho, now at Manchester United, for their fixture schedule.

And Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino says everyone wants his side to beat the Blues and end their run.

“I can reply that I didn’t do the fixtures,” said Conte (right), who became Mourinho’s permanent successor last summer.

“I t hink t hat now t hey are angry for our position not for the fixtures.

“It’s normal. This also happens in Italy.

“I repeat it’s always because you stay up at the top.

“Every team wants to stop our run, not only Tottenham.

“Don’t worry about this, about the other teams, about the fans.

“Not one person wants to kill the championship.”

Conte’s Blues matched Arsenal’s single-season top-flight record of 13 consecutive victories with l ast Saturday’s 4-2 defeat of Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

And a win at Spurs would draw Chelsea level with the Gunners’ record mark of 14 straight wins, which ended in August 2002.

“We must be proud about this because it’s a great achievement, 13 wins in a row — above all now in this league, with these players and these coaches,” Conte added.

“We took 39 points. For the other situation (the record), it’s not important for us.

“But if you see the table, you can see that we have only five points more than second place, from Liverpool.”

United are sixth, 10 points behind Chelsea, but nine clear of seventhplaced Everton after six successive wins.

It was suggested ending Chelsea’s run would exact a measure of revenge for Spurs after the Blues ended their Premier League title hopes last term, handing Leicester the trophy.

Conte said: “You don’t win and you don’t lose a championship in one game.”

Conte believes Spurs are stronger than last season, mainly due to the addition of midfielder Victor Wanyama and having more time to gel under Pochettino, who “is showing he can be one of the best coaches in the world”.

He added: “There is this difference in the table only because we did an incredible run.

“I consider Tottenham to be a great team, very strong.”

Chelsea have Pedro back available after he was suspended for the win over Stoke.

Conte has a full squad to choose from tonight.