PL news : Conte expecting the toughest season in his managerial career

Antonio Conte believes that the new campaign will be the toughest season in his managerial career as he aims to defend the Premier League title.

As reported by the Guardian, Conte expects a gruelling campaign with Chelsea’s squad looking thinner, despite spending £130 million on transfers.

“For sure it will be the most difficult season of my career as a coach. Why? There are many reasons and I haven’t a lot of time to explain a lot of these reasons. But I am sure about this. In this moment we have a small squad. Everyone can see the situation. It’s not because the coach shouts: ‘I want this’ or ‘I want this’. We hope to improve it because it’s very clear. But for me and the players the best way now is to be focused on the pitch and not to think of the other situation.”

 Chelsea have signed Willy Caballero, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Morata respectively, but have either sold or loaned over 20 players already, six of which were part of last season’s first-team squad, with the likes of John Terry, Nathaniel Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all leaving the club permanently or temporarily.
The weaker squad will present further challenges as the Blues prepare for a return to the Champions League this season.

To add to Conte’s troubles, Bakayoko, Eden Hazard and Pedro are all due to miss the start of the season with injuries.
Conte is still believed to be in the market for players, with moves for the likes of Ross Barkley, Danny Drinkwater and Virgil van Dijk being touted. - Read Sport