Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said he hates not being in the Uefa Champions League and has made it his mission to ensure the Premier League leaders consistently qualify for Europe’s elite competition.
After Chelsea won the 2014/15 league title under Jose Mourinho, a disastrous campaign last season saw the Portuguese manager lose his job and the side end the season in 10th place, missing out on European competition completely.
Now under former Italy and Juventus manager Conte, Chelsea are seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur at the top of the table with a chance of restoring their 10 point lead with a victory over West Ham United on Monday evening.
__________________________________
Read more
■ Richard Jolly: Aitor Karanka sending Middlesbrough towards relegation
■ Team of the week: Find out who joins Harry Kane in this week's XI
■ Manchester City: Clear signs of progress in win over Sunderland
__________________________________
Chelsea are overwhelming favourites to win their second league title in three seasons, and with 13 points separating them with fifth-placed Arsenal, a place in the top four and a return to the Champions League seems all but assured.
“The Champions League, I think, must be an appointment for us every year,” Conte said. “It must be [at] our house,”
“We started our season trying to fight until the end to win the title and to be in the right position to go into next season’s Champions League. This was our target.
“It wasn’t easy to start the season and know that six strong teams fight for the title and the Champions League.”
Chelsea are joined in the top six of the Premier League by Tottenham, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester United, meaning two of those clubs will miss out on next season’s Champions League.
Based on the strength of the Premier League’s top six, Conte insisted that England’s top-flight is the most competitive league in world football.
“Don’t forget, in this six teams, two won’t play in the Champions League next season. They have to go into the Europa League, which is a bit different,” Conte, 47, said.
“Now this league is very, very difficult. To win the title and also to find a place to play the Champions League is not easy.”
* Reuters
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport
