Conte: Chelsea better off than when I arrived

Manager contrasts club with Mourinho’s exit Italian ‘knows nothing about summer schedule’

Antonio Conte has insisted that Chelsea are in far better shape than when he took over from Jose Mourinho – even if the club miss out on qualifying for the Champions League.

Chelsea had finished 10th during Mourinho’s final season, when he was sacked in December 2015, before Conte was appointed head coach the next summer.

Having guided Chelsea to the Premier League title during his first season, Conte now requires a major helping hand for his team to snatch a top-four place ahead of Liverpool. Chelsea have to win at Newcastle United and hope that Brighton beat Liverpool at Anfield.

But with the FA Cup final still to look forward to against Mourinho’s Manchester United, Conte insists his second – and in all likelihood final – season at Chelsea has not been a write off.

Conte, who last summer stated he did not want a “Mourinho season”, said: “Don’t forget two years ago, Chelsea ended the season 10th and not in the FA Cup final, not in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and they were eliminated in the last 16 against PSG in the Champions League. It can happen.

“You must know that there is this possibility, because you play in a strong league. For this reason, you have to know this and prepare in the right way. There are six top teams at the start of the season ready to fight for a place in the Champions League. It can happen. In the past, it happened the same.”

Asked if Chelsea were now in a better place than when he arrived, Conte added: “For sure, we worked two years and worked very hard to try to build something, to create a base.

“I think you remember. Last season, after a 10th place, we won the Premier League. It was difficult. We worked very hard, but we won. After a 10th-place finish. Now, probably, you can finish fifth and start with a bit of an advantage compared to when you finish 10th.

“We are struggling to take a place in the Champions League. But, I repeat, you play in a league that is very tough; where there are six top teams who fight to take the four Champions League places. It can happen.

“Last season, if I remember, United finished sixth and Arsenal fifth. It means you must pay great attention for the present and the future. It won’t be easy. It’s not automatic that you finish every season in the top four.”

Conte is expected to leave Chelsea after the Cup final, but, as has been the case for weeks, the Italian refused to speak about his future.

He did, however, hint that he was not part of the club’s long-term planning by admitting that he did not know Chelsea’s summer schedule and also revealing that he would head straight to Italy for Andrea Pirlo’s testimonial after Wembley.

“For sure, probably, I will go to Milan for the game for Pirlo on the 21st [of May],” said Conte. “Then we don’t know, at the end of the season, if we have friendly games. I don’t know anything about our end of season. For sure, in the next week, the situation will be more clear for the end of the season.

“Now, I think we must be focused to finish the season. Then it will be the right moment for the person to understand the situation and take the best solution, find the solution in the best possible way.”

Chelsea have been linked with a string of managers, including