Conte: My bags arepackedbutI don’twanttogo
ANTONIO CONTE insists he wants to continue at Chelsea but admits his suitcases are packed in the event of a bitter divorce.
The Blues boss seems certain to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer and has been surrounded by gossip about his future since the start of the season.
Even after an impressive performance against Barcelona in the Champions League, the Italian was still asked about his future and hinted heavily he feels the club are driving the doubts.
Conte said: “I have a contract with Chelsea until 2019. I want to respect it but anything can happen in football. There was already talk about me getting sacked after the first game against Burnley.
“Here they changed 10 managers in 14 years and the media plays on this when the results are negative. As with a marriage, both parties need to be happy, yet in this profession we always have our suitcases ready. But my intention is to respect my contract here at Chelsea.”
Conte’s side will need a big performance in the Nou Camp to progress in the Champions League after drawing 1-1 in the first leg.
Willian was their key man, hitting the post twice before curling home a stunning opener for the Blues.
He has been in and out of the team under Conte but has scored three times in the last two matches.
And the attacking midfielder said: “I’m always ready to score goals. The hat-trick is coming soon. I nearly scored one against Hull and against Barcelona.
“We can stay at this level at Old Trafford on Sunday. We have to play in a similar way to the Barca match.
“We must also go to the Nou Camp. It will be totally different but we must play with the same mentality. We can win the game there.”
Conte went without a recognised striker against Barca, playing Eden Hazard as a “false nine”.
But despite claiming he enjoys the role, the Belgian admits he is not suited to it.
Hazard said: “I like the role as a false nine. In games like this, against a quality opposition it’s difficult.
“You don’t get a lot of balls. I might have touched 25 balls and 15 of them were flying towards my head. That’s not really playing with my qualities.
“On the wing I feel more comfortable. We’ll see how we will play in Barcelona.
“We have to give the maximum to win.”