Conte looking at his options
and Abramovich’s famed lack of patience, things could unravel sooner and defeat at home to struggling Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday could bring matters to a head.
With the title now Manchester City’s to lose, all Chelsea would be left with is a daunting Champions League last-16 clash with in-form Barcelona next month and a battle to secure a top-four spot.
They have won only one of their last seven games in all competitions.
Paris Saint-Germain are watching the Conte situation carefully, and with their coach Unai Emery expected to depart at the end of the season, have already sounded out the Italian’s intermediaries.
Conte’s other favoured option is to return to Italy and the national job, vacant since Gian Piero Ventura was axed after failing to get them to the World Cup. Italy chiefs are keen to tempt him back after he took the country to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. He was popular with players and fans but would have to take a wage cut from his £9.6million-ayear salary to about £4.5m.
Some in the Chelsea hierarchy feel Conte has been handed adequate funds. Nearly £190m was spent on players last summer, and £15m already splashed out in this window on Ross Barkley.
There is also £52m likely to be outgoing with Emerson Palmieri on the way and Edin Dzeko’s arrival is imminent.
Should the deal for Dzeko collapse, Chelsea will consider a bid for Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud.
Chelsea insiders also maintain Conte has been involved in transfer policy, despite the Italian’s claims to the contrary.
Former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has been considered as a potential replacement for Conte.