Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has discussed his expectations for the Blues this season after his side suffered consecutive Premier League defeats.
The shock loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday has had plenty of people rethinking what Chelsea can achieve this season – even their manager.
Manchester City’s show of dominance has been impressive but not unexpected. The 0-1 loss to the Sky Blues flattered a Chelsea side who look uncharacteristically outgunned and now the champions have slipped out of the top four following the 1-2 defeat to Roy Hodgson’s Eagles.
“Every season is different – last season we didn’t play in the Champions League or Europa League,” Conte told Metro.
Conte: Chelsea building for the future
Nine points already separate City from Chelsea and the added pressure of European football is taking its toll on a stretched squad.
Conte’s side were in a similar position at the beginning of last season before comfortably taking control of the league, but it feels like an altogether bigger task this term.
The 48-year-old Italian continued by stating that this season, the Blues must look to “build something for the future” and that patience is necessary.
Let’s go for an Italian on Wednesday night
Things don’t ease up yet for Chelsea after a difficult start to October; they host Roma at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night for another key Champions League clash.
A classic Chelsea performance last time out in the competition saw them leave Atletico Madrid with a 1-2 victory, but the following weeks have been a sputtering time with league defeats intersected by international breaks.
Roma have been in solid form despite a defeat to Serie A leaders Napoli at the weekend and Conte will need to have his players focused if they are to keep their 100 percent European record intact for 2017.
Chelsea currently sit top of Champions League Group C on six points, with Roma on four points – Atletico have only one point.
