Conte takes another veiled jab at board

Premier League champions Chelsea travel to Manchester City on Sunday 22 points adrift of the side destined to take their crown and fighting just to salvage a place in the top four.

Antonio Conte's men could be five points adrift of the Champions League places by the time they kick-off at the Etihad with Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool hosting struggling Huddersfield and Newcastle respectively on Saturday.

The Italian is strongly rumoured to be on his way out as boss at Stamford Bridge come what may in the remainder of the season despite Chelsea still competing on three fronts.

Conte has repeatedly clashed with the Chelsea hierarchy over his lack of input into the club's recruitment policy.

He hinted at his frustrations once more when asked how City had overturned a 15-point deficit on Chelsea last season into such a commanding lead with still 10 games of the Premier League season to go.

"When you work very well and there is a great feeling between the manager and the club, you can work in the way you want, to try to improve your team in the best way," Conte said. "Manchester City has the possibility to spend a lot of money.

"When you link this situation, good manager, much money to spend in the transfer market, the same ambition, this is the final result."

Should he go, Conte will be ninth manager to leave in the Roman Abramovitch era, with Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink enjoying two spells each in charge in that time.

By contrast, City's cash-rich Emirati owners stood by Guardiola after a disappointing trophyless first season, and doubled down by spending reportedly over 300 million euros to bolster Guardiola's squad.