Antonio Conte admitted he will find it ‘very difficult’ to sleep after Chelsea’s shock defeat by Crystal Palace and highlighted concerns over the squad at his disposal.
The Italian hinted his frustration at their lack of depth after seeing his side struggle against the Premier League’s bottom club, who broke a seven-game losing streak at Selhurst Park.
Chelsea face Roma in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and Conte has warned their fans that this season will be harder than they think.
‘You know I don’t like to lose,’ a frustrated Conte said. ‘Imagine when you lose two games in a row. For sure, my soul today is bad. For sure, it will be very difficult for me to sleep.
‘I think we must have the same sensation, me and my players, to change things in the next game and be positive.
‘It was a difficult game for us. When you play against Crystal Palace away, you have to start with more personality, otherwise you allow your opponent to take confidence.’
Last season’s champions were already missing Alvaro Morata and N’Golo Kante, and saw Victor Moses suffer an injury here which will rule him out of the Roma match.
‘I hope to have him back very soon because this moment is very difficult for us,’ Conte said. ‘To lose three or four players… it’s a big problem for us.
‘Despite this, we have to find the will to fight. This season will be very difficult and, for this reason, we have to put 150 per cent in. It’s not enough to put 100 per cent in like last season.
‘This season, me first, the staff and the players have to put in 150 per cent because the season will be very difficult. We want to try and be competitive in all competitions, but it won’t be easy.’
Asked whether he was worried about the size and depth of his squad, Conte continued:
‘The situation is very clear.
‘I repeat: my job is to be focused on my work with my players, and to try and do our best. Now, I repeat, it’s not an easy moment for us. It’s important to find a solution.
‘Don’t look for excuses. Through work, find a solution. It won’t be easy, but my task is to try to find the solution and to put all of myself into my job.’
