Antonio Conte: 'Chelsea could miss out on top four'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 10 December 2017

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists that his priority for the remainder of the season is to secure a top-four spot in the Premier League table.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has warned his side that they face stiff competition to finish in the top four of the Premier League this season following Saturday's shock defeat to West Ham United.

The champions were beaten by the struggling Hammers at the London Stadium to ultimately slip 14 points behind leaders Manchester City, although Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal also dropped points over the course of the weekend.

Chelsea remain third as a result of the Sunday slip-ups elsewhere, but Conte stressed that their main priority must be to secure a Champions League place for next season, having all but given up hope of a successful title defence.

"There's a problem in this league. There are six top teams and there are only four places for the Champions League and two places for the Europa League," he told reporters.

"You have targets, also if Manchester City has many points over you, you have an important target to try to get into the top four and play in the Champions League. Don't forget, two years ago Chelsea missed this target, last season we didn't play European games.

"Our priority is to play the league. I repeat, we have our target to try to play for one of the four places in next season's Champions League.

"Don't forget that last season Arsenal and Manchester United were out of the Champions League, then Manchester United won the Europa League, but otherwise Manchester United and Arsenal would miss out. This target is very important for me, for the players and for all. I repeat, it is not simple to reach the first four positions."

Chelsea face Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium on Tuesday night bidding for a return to winning ways.