Conte challenges Chelsea to start showing more heart
SOCCER
LONDON —After watching his club lose 4-1 at Watford on Monday, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said he will lose no sleep over the threat he could be fired less than a year after winning the Premier League.
The Blues have now conceded seven goals in their past two outings after going down 3-0 at home to Bournemouth last week.
Chelsea’s chances of Champions League qualification for next season are in serious peril.
“Tomorrow is another day. I can be the Chelsea coach or not, what is the problem?” said Conte.
“I go to sleep without a problem. I try to do everything and, if this is enough OK. Otherwise the club will take a different decision. Life goes on.”
The loss leaves Chelsea still lagging in fourth and just a point ahead of fifthplace Tottenham Hotspur in the battle for the top four.
Conte has repeatedly complained throughout the campaign about his lack of input towards the club’s recruitment strategy.
Once more the Italian lined up without a recognized striker at Vicarage Road, with Alvaro Morata sidelined by injury and newsigning Olivier Giroud deemed fit enough only for a place on the bench.
However, Conte also delivered some stinging criticism to his players, who he said “played with fear”.
“I try to continue to work to try to improve different aspects of my players, but today I think our performance was very poor,” he said.
“For sure, I have to take the responsibility because maybe I made the wrong decision for the starting XI, and I accept that.
“But to play football for a big club means you must have personality. It is simple to play when there is the confidence, but not so easy when it is not there.
“In this type of moment you can see who is (made) for a great club, to play with personality to risk something.”
Quick banishment
Chelsea’s task wasn’t made any easier when Tiemoue Bakayoko was banished after just half an hour for two bookable offenses.
Troy Deeney’s penalty put the host in front just before the break, but Chelsea was offered a lifeline eight minutes from time by a brilliant 25-yard strike from Eden Hazard.
Conte was particularly annoyed with his side’s reaction in the closing stages as the Blues conceded three times in the final six minutes to Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra.
“In the second half I saw a lot of confusion. We were able to draw and I think in that moment we must be good to manage the situation, to understand the moment,” said the coach.
“A great team must do this. Instead, in 10 minutes we conceded three goals.”
Conte also refused to accept injuries and fatigue as reasons for the stark difference in Chelsea’s performances in results from his first season, when it didn’t have the distraction of European competition.
“For sure it is a difficult moment and if we want to find excuses or alibis always we can find everything,” he said.
“This is not my way to face the situation and solve the problem.
“The winner finds a solution, while the loser finds excuses. In my life I like to be a winner ... and I am a winner.”
A makeshift front three of Hazard, Pedro Rodriguez and Willian struggled to get involved as Watford dominated in new boss Javi Gracia’s home debut.
“It is an unforgettable night,” said Gracia. “It was a great victory in a great match. I am very proud of my players today.
“The match changed after the sending-off, but I am happy for the whole effort my team showed — not only after the sending-off.”