Chelsea boss says Blues can become kings of England
ANTONIO Conte believes City are set up to dominate English football for years.
The Italian won the Premier League last year in his first season at Chelsea but has seen his team and every other rival blitzed by the Blues and Pep Guardiola.
City were confirmed champions on Sunday with five games to spare, and talk has already started as to how they can improve.
It has been pointed out that the team has been rejuvenated since Guardiola’s arrival with an influx of fresh, young players with the suggestion being that the team’s best years are ahead of them.
No team has successfully defended the Premier League title since 2009 but Chelsea boss Conte believes City have a real chance of continuing their success.
“Manchester City is one club that can continue to dominate, to win. Not only in England but also to fight for the Champions League,” he said.
“They have the possibility to do this; it is a very strong club, they have an important squad with great players, and are a club that want to invest and improve. There are a lot of things that are right.
“They have dominated this season and it’s right to compliment them on winning this league; this league is not simple to win.
“The way they did it was incredible. They did a great job on and off the pitch; they were very well prepared for the season. I like the way they improved the team and the squad.”
Guardiola admits that his team have obvious room to grow – “If you read what people said this week we have a lot to improve,” he quipped after the Tottenham win – and is planning to reinforce the team in summer.
Another forward is on the agenda, as is a long-term successor to Fernandinho in midfield.
However, the City boss will not countenance talk that his team can dominate English football in the way that they have this season especially after his experiences as manager of Barcelona.
“In the future? No way. Never is it going to happen again that. Never,” he said.
“Eighteen games [won] in a row? No way. It’s impossible.
“The opponents want to beat you, you’re a little bit more relaxed, the big achievement is already done so your intensity is sometimes [lower]. “I have experience of that. “I was in Barcelona four years and handled when you win, you win, you win - it’s so more demanding.
“Next season will be so, so complicated for us.
“That is not going to happen again. It’s impossible.”