Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is confident enough that no high-profile player will leave Stamford Bridge in the upcoming transfer window even if the Blues fail to finish inside top four.
Chelsea currently sit 5th on the Premier League log after 30 games and judging by the look of things, our chances of finishing in top-four are unrealistic. Manchester United are sitting quite comfortably in 2nd place, 4 points ahead of Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham. Liverpool closely follow the Lilywhites and then there is Chelsea, 4 points behind the Reds.
The only chance for Chelsea to remain in Europe was to win the Champions League but Conte’s men were beaten 4-1 on aggregate by Ernesto Valverde’s Barcelona in the round of the 16 of the competition. If we fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League, there’s every chance that our star players might want to leave the club.
Conte, however, is confident enough that he will be able to keep his squad together even if his side fails to finish in the top four. Speaking to the media, the Italian said (as quoted by Telegraph)
“Don’t forget that two years ago Chelsea finished 10th, with many players who have featured this season. They decided to continue to play for this club, two years ago. Many players, they were here, when they finished 10th.
“Do the players need to take responsibility? I think like last season, when we won the title and reached the final of the FA Cup, it’s always the same: we must be ready to share the responsibility with the club, the players, me and my staff.”
Speaking further, the Italian warned captain Gary Cahill that the only way he could get in the England World Cup squad is by working harder. The 32-year-old centre-back was dropped from Chelsea’s Champions League squad for both legs against Barcelona and this has now been followed by his omission from Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad.
“There is only one way to respond: to work hard and show you deserve to play,” said the former Italy manager.
“I don’t see another way. He should not complain. I can help him improve and work hard and show he deserves to go.
“We are talking about an unbelievable player, with a great quality as a player and also human quality.”
It is important that our star players stay at the club beyond the season, irrespective of whether we play in the Champions League or not. In my opinion, just one season of not being in the CL is not going to make a huge difference in a player’s career and I hope the players look at the long-term prospect that’s in place at the club.