Antonio Conte says Chelsea must end their poor form and finish the season strongly
Sunday 8 April 2018 14:35, UK
Antonio Conte has urged his Chelsea players to put their poor form behind them and enjoy a strong finish to the season.
Last year's Premier League champions sit fifth in the table - 11 points off a top-four place - and have won just three top-flight matches since the turn of the year.
However, prior to their home game against West Ham on Sunday - live on Sky Sports - Conte has said he wants his players to put that disappointment behind them.
He said: "The most important thing is to be focused on the present and to try to finish this season in the best possible way.
"As I've said before, we have to try our best every single game. To look forward but at the same time look behind.
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"The only thing we can do and try to do every game is to show great desire, great pride and to try to finish this season in the best position in the table.
"There is a great gap with Manchester City. The table is showing this. Now, to speak about the gap between us and Manchester City, is not right."
Chelsea have suffered defeat in five of their last seven games - results that have not only seen them slide down the Premier League, but also exit the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona.
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However, Conte was keen to accentuate the positives of these results, saying: "You become stronger after a defeat. When you win, you don't see always the problem.
"When you don't win, you have a lot of strength to try to change the situation, to try to have a good answer. A defeat makes you stronger than a win.
"After a defeat, it's really difficult to sleep. For me, it was very difficult when I was a player. It's very difficult now as a manager.
"I think it's right to feel this bad sensation because if you win or lose, it's always the same - you feel something wrong with yourself.
"That you are not a winner - you are a loser."
