Chelsea

Antonio Conte: 'I am not solely to blame for poor title defence'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 14 April 2018

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says that the blame for missing out on a place in the top four of the Premier League must be 'divided with his players'.

Antonio Conte has insisted that he cannot be solely to blame for Chelsea's likely failure to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.

The Blues have endured a dismal title defence, finding themselves 27 points adrift of leaders Manchester City and at serious risk of missing out on a Champions League spot for the second time in three seasons.

Chelsea have an FA Cup semi-final meeting with Southampton on the horizon, although even domestic silverware will reportedly not be enough to save Conte's job at Stamford Bridge.

Despite shifting some of the blame onto his players, the Italian claims that the likes of Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard will not be allowed to leave even if Chelsea miss out on the top four.

"If we don't qualify for the Champions League it means that we have to divide the fault with the players," he told reporters at his weekly press conference.

"This is not the first time. Two years ago the same happened at Chelsea. I didn't see many players leaving then. We made a lot of mistakes this season - me, my staff, the players and the club. There are six games to go and we have an FA Cup semi-final. We must finish the season as strongly as possible."

Chelsea have claimed just 12 points this calendar year - only Southampton, Huddersfield Town, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion have worse records.