Antonio Conte told Chelsea are nowhere near as good this season
Ray Wilkins discusses Chelsea's start to the new Premier League season compared to last term
Ray Wilkins believes that Chelsea are “nowhere” near as good as they were under Antonio Conte last season.
The Blues have made something of a mixed start to the new season as they bid to defend the Premier League title they won in Conte’s first campaign in charge last term.
Chelsea have lost two and drawn one of their opening seven Premier League games to leave Conte’s men in fourth place in the table and six points behind leaders Manchester City.
The Blues were comprehensively beaten by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge as Kevin De Bruyne scored the second-half winner at Stamford Bridge in the 1-0 victory for Pep Guardiola’s men last weekend.
Chelsea were largely outplayed during that game and former Blues coach Wilkins believes that the west London side are some way behind how they were playing last season.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Wilkins said: “I don’t think we are anywhere near as good as last year.
“We had the best forward (Diego Costa) in the league last year. We had people at the club that you need at a football club, like John Terry.
“I don’t know why we didn’t offer John something around the club to keep that Chelsea business going on, I really don’t.”
Chelsea return to Premier League action after the international break with a trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday 14 October.
The west London side have made a strong start in the Champions League, winning both of their opening group stage games as they bid to secure their spot in the last 16 of Europe’s elite club competition.
