Conte Will Not Let Go Of The Top Four Slot, Mourns Wilkins

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists that his players must not give up the fight for the top four spot.

Chelsea are currently fifth position on 56 points in the Premier League table and are eight points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with seven games to play.

Last weekend, Chelsea’s EPL top four ambitions was dashed after s staggering  3-1 home defeat to Spurs despite taking the lead.

“We have responsibility to fight for a Champions League place. We must show pride, desire and will until the end of the season,” Conte said in his press conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s home league clash with West Ham.

“Now is not the time to complain or to cry. We are realistic about the gap between us and the top four, but we must show pride and do our best until the end of the season.”

He revealed that injured duo Thibaut Courtois and Pedro Rodriguez could return against West Ham while David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu remain sidelined.

On the death of former Chelsea player and assistant manager Ray Wilkins who passed away during the week at 61 after a heart attach, Conte said: “It’s tragic news. I was lucky to know him and speak with

him many times. He was a legend for this club, an ambassador for football. It’s very difficult to accept this news. We want to pass on our biggest condolences to his family. It’s a big loss.”