Big games

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has done his best to avoid questions over his future and more immediately, the tie against Barcelona in the Champions League. 

The Blues manager has been hanging on to his job for some time now, and it seems he thinks that the next game against Hull in the FA Cup is vital.

Conte has made it clear before he thinks that the Hull tie could well boost Chelsea and their players – and put them in the position to beat Barcelona, and he mentioned the other games that come after said FA Cup tie – and made it clear Barcelona are not the be all and end all of the season.

The Express report he said: “I think for our confidence it was very important to get the three points, to keep another clean sheet and now we have to prepare very well for the game in the FA Cup.

“We want to try to go through to the next round and to try to fight for every competition.

“We want to try to go to the next round and then prepare for the game against Barcelona.

“And then again against United and City – three massive games.

“Three important games for us.”

The sack

Conte knows he may well be leaving the club in the summer, but until then the Chelsea boss looks determined to keep his job and get his side doing as well as possible.

He had given them days off this week ahead of the Hull game, but wants them back to full fitness ahead of the mega games not only in the Champions League but also in the Premier League, where the Blues are fighting for a top four spot and know they need to get at least something from the games against Manchester United and City that are coming up in the next few weeks or risk falling out of the top four and adrift of their rivals.