Sky Sports presenter Paul Merson says the so-called relationship “crisis” between Antonio Conte and Chelsea is being blown out of proportion.
Chelsea suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Burnley in the opening game of the season at the Stamford Bridge. A game which Chelsea finished with 9 men on the field after Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill were sent off for them.
They have found transfer targets difficult to snap up with a fruitless summer in the pursuit of Alex Sandro whom Juventus refuse to let go of.
Star striker Diego Costa continues to refuse to return to London to train with the Blues, as he seeks a move to Atletico Madrid after falling out with Conte.
Chelsea are now falling down in the order of the bookies’ favourites to win the league and Conte is the favourite to be the first manager to receive the sack.
However, Merson says it is still very early in the season to write off Chelsea and Conte.
Merson said on Soccer Saturday: “They drifted like a barge, Premier League betting-wise. I think they went out to 13/2. Nobody is going to win every game in a season, it’s one game!
“They got dismantled by Arsenal at the Emirates last season, and then all of a sudden they’ve won a dozen on the trot and win the league at a canter.
“I think there’s a long way to go – the players they’re missing; Eden Hazard, Pedro, Victor Moses, Bakayoko – who could miss them? Chelsea can’t afford to miss a Hazard, as much as Tottenham can’t afford to miss a Harry Kane.
“I think sometimes it gets blown out of proportion. You say he [Conte] has got a reputation for leaving clubs early, this is different, surely? I’d be shocked if he was the first to go.”
Chelsea’s critics have continually claimed that the side is much weaker than last season, after the sale of Nemanja Matic and the imminent departure of Diego Costa.
They have let certain players who were with the first team last season leave on loan as well and Chelsea are looking thin on paper.
But with Conte reportedly chasing certain targets and key players like Hazard and Bakayoko returning towards full fitness, one cannot completely rule them out of making a thumping come back. After all, they did last season after back to back defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal. Back then, the introduction of Marcos Alonso seemed to have got the ball rolling for them. It remains to be seen who steps up now for The Blues as they look to be the first team since Manchester United in 2009 to retain their title.
