As nightmare scenarios go, they don’t come much worse for Chelsea fans than the idea of Antonio Conte leaving after just one season in charge.
The Italian may be on course to win the title in his maiden campaign, but he admits all isn’t well in London, as he does indeed have a family problem.
Conte’s family have stayed in Italy while he is working in England, which prompted speculation that he could quit Stamford Bridge and leave for the likes of Inter Milan.
However, he told reporters that he is planning to rectify that situation, though he is aware of the rumours that he’s unhappy.
“Every coach, when you start work with a new club, you hope to stay many, many years, because it means you are working very well.
“You have the possibility to improve your players, to improve your team and to grow together. The only problem for me is that the family is missing me for sure.
“They stay in Italy and I am working for the future to try to bring them here and to stay together, because my family is missing me.
“The story [that he could leave] tells this, but I am not worried.
“With my players I want to work very hard and I think we have to continue in this way to do something important this season, because we are in the right position.”
Chelsea are ten points clear going into the weekend’s fixtures. Tottenham can cut that gap to seven with a win over Everton, but the Blues can once again extend it on Monday night when they will play West Ham.
It’s unlikely that their players will be too unsettled by the Conte rumours, as he doesn’t seem to have lost any of his focus as they march towards the title.
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