Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has claimed that he has a more difficult job than his Burnley counterpart Sean Dyche.
The Italian praised his opposite number but insinuated that it is easier for coaches at clubs that are expected to struggle to hit their targets come the end of the season.
"He is doing an important job, a great job this season," Conte told reporters ahead of the Premier League meeting between the two teams. "But if you start the season fighting to avoid the relegation zone it is more simple – also if you have a small budget, because you can count on the team that in the past qualified to play again in the league.
"It is more difficult when you have to prepare in the transfer market to win something. Only one team wins."
Eight points separate Chelsea and Burnley ahead of kickoff, but Conte has insisted that he is under more pressure to succeed than Dyche and managers at clubs of a similar stature to Burnley.
"You have to avoid the last three places at the bottom, and then you can stay between 10 teams that play only for this target. You have to fight only to avoid this," he added.
"It is difficult if you have to play to win because only one team wins and if the other doesn't win you are the first to speak about a failed season. If you don't win the FA Cup, the league, the Carabao Cup, it's a failure season and for this reason it's more difficult to play for this target."
Chelsea lost 3-2 to Burnley at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season.
Mark Langshaw
