Conte urges Chelsea to focus on top 4

Conte urges Chelsea to focus on top 4

Antonio Conte has urged his Chelsea side to focus on finishing in the top 4 this season, and wants to ensure the Blues end the year strong with victory against Stoke on Saturday.

Manchester City’s outstanding form this season has all but put the title race to bed at this early stage, and Conte’s side are well and truly in the thick of a top 4 scrap as they face competition from several sides.

Chelsea have won their last six Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge and are currently just a single point behind Manchester United in second place. They are four points behind Liverpool who are in 4th, and Conte says his side’s aims this season should be mainly on Champions League qualification.

“In this league there is great motivation for all to try to stay there and fight until the end,” Conte said. “I don’t know if we can do this for the title because it depends on Manchester City, who are doing something extraordinary.

“To win every game and draw one means you are having a fantastic run.

“But there is great motivation to find a place in the Champions League next year, there are four places for six top teams.

“Our start wasn’t easy for many reasons but we want to work and improve. There are many competitions and we must be very proud to play every game.”
[Quotes sourced via vanguardngr.com]

It has been a tough campaign for defending champions Chelsea, but it has to be said that it wouldn’t look so bleak if it wasn’t for how dominant City have been.