Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will be under massive pressure when Tottenham Hotspur travel to Stamford Bridge this Sunday to face his side in a crucial game in the race for the the top four.
It’s been a turbulent season for the Italian coach after he impressively guided The Blues to the Premier League title in his first season in English football.
Chelsea currently sit in fifth position in the table, five points behind fourth placed Spurs, and know that a loss against Mauricio Pochettino’s men will all but end their hopes of securing qualification for next season’s Champions League.
However, Conte’s public falling out with his club’s board over transfer policy, reports of players unrest at his training methods, and below par performances on the pitch have resulted in what seems to be negative atmosphere around the club.
Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso has however backed his manager ahead of Sundays crunch London Derby. The Spain international insists Conte is doing a fine job at Stamford Bridge, and that he and his team-mates are focused on finishing this season as strongly as possible.
”In England, after winning the Premier League, it is normal to have a difficult year, especially with the level that Manchester City are maintaining throughout the season,” Alonso told Marca.
“Now we have an important end of the year, to qualify for the Champions League and fight for the FA Cup.”We’re looking forward to it.”
“He [Conte] has done a great job and we only think about finishing well.”
Even if Chelsea do manage to finish in the top four this season, it is widely accepted that Conte will leave the club this summer, with former Barca coach Luis Enrique the favourite to take over the reigns at Stamford Bridge next season.