Antonio Conte rates Chelsea’s Premier League title chances after Palace loss
Antonio Conte admits Chelsea are facing a tough task in defending their Premier League title this season
Antonio Conte has admitted that Chelsea face a “difficult” task in trying to catch Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title this season.
The Italian manager watched his side slump to a disappointing 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as the Blues lost their second successive top-flight game.
The result left Chelsea in fifth place in the Premier League table and nine points behind Manchester City after just eight games of the new campaign.
It is clear that Chelsea are facing a tough task in trying to claw their way back into the title race and catch Manchester City this season.
And speaking at his post-match news conference after Saturday’s defeat, Conte delivered his honest verdict on Chelsea’s title hopes.
Conte said: “I think we have to go game by game.
“This season will be very difficult in all aspects, for this reason we must be focused game by game and try to do our best.
“At the end of the season we’ll see what happens. It’s important for us to understand, to have patience, to understand we are trying to build something important for the future.
“We’ve changed a lot, the only words that I know in these circumstances is to work, work and work. ‘If you do your best, I think not one person can tell you something bad.”
Conte will be hoping to see his team return to winning ways on Wednesday when they take on Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday night at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues, who won the title in style in Conte’s first campaign at the club last term, have made a strong start in the Champions League this season, beating both Qarabag and Atletico Madrid in their opening group games in Europe’s elite club competition.
