It looked like Chelsea FC were going to runaway from the rest of the Premier League this season and take the title by a very healthy margin. They’re still currently top of the table, but their margin is less comfortable than it used to be. Chelsea Manager Antonio Conte himself admitted that the league title race has gotten more interesting now with Tottenham Hotspur legitimately back in the hunt, at seven points behind the Blues.
Conte has a contract that keeps him at Stamford Bridge until 2019, but there’s been talk he could be on the move before his deal is up. The former Italy and Juventus boss has been linked to a slew of clubs including a return back to his home country.
Friend of Antonio Conte and agent Federico Pastorello then said publicly: “if offers from clubs arrive, new opportunities may arise, especially at historical clubs.”
This then prompted Conte to deny these transfer rumors. The Italian told Sky Sports Italia after Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Manchester City:
“I don’t like it when others speak for me. Pastorello is a friend, I know him well, but I don’t like when others speak for me. If someone wants to know something about me, then they must ask me. We’re fighting for the title and we want to achieve this goal, then we’ll try to build something important together.”
He was then asked if he would be at Chelsea next season and simply replied: “Yes, for the next season.”
So there you have it, Antonio Conte will return to Chelsea next season.
First things first though- there’s a league title to win, and Chelsea cannot afford to coast. Antonio Conte knows this and said as much on March 7th following a 3-1 win over West Ham United.
“The games are starting to be less, but I think this league will still be really tough until the end. I listen to the other coaches of the other teams, and they trust [themselves] to win — and it’s right to have this ambition.”
“It’s important for us to know the others have this ambition, to keep this anger and will to fight and stay on top of the league.”
“For sure, it won’t be easy. We know this. But I trust my players because they are showing me great commitment not only in games, but during the week: in every training session, great will to work and improve, to improve our work. I trust them. Absolutely,” Antonio Conte said.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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