Conte fears Chelsea are burnt out

ANTONIO CONTE fears Chelsea are BURNT OUT before the season has even started.

The Blues boss admits his players are “very tired” after their gruelling pre-season tour of the Far East. And he is already planning to fill the bench with kids in Sunday’s Community Shield curtain-raiser against Arsenal.

Conte, who celebrates his 48th birthday today, said: “My players are very tired because they played three games in seven days in high temperatures and humidity.

“Players are always the same, they will be tired. It is important to come back to London and rest.

“Against Arsenal some young players will be on the bench.”

Chelsea’s tour was a diplomatic disaster after the club were forced to issue a grovelling apology to the Chinese over Kenedy’s embarrassing Instagram posts.

They also lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich and 2-1 to Inter Milan in Singapore. Conte has fitness concerns over new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko and Eden Hazard, while Victor Moses is suspended for the Community Shield.

The match is a repeat of May’s FA Cup final, when Arsenal’s stunning 2-1 triumph robbed Conte of the Double.

He added: “It is not a friendly. It is an official game and there is a trophy, so it is important.

“We lost the FA Cup final, now this is another story and we must be able to fight and win.”

Conte has bought Alvaro Morata, Bakayoko and Antonio Rudiger so far this summer but wants more depth to his squad.

But the Italian has vowed to stay silent over transfers after insisting he has told the Blues’ hierarchy who he wants. He said: “I spoke once and now will never speak about the transfer market.”

Keeper Thibaut Courtois has called on senior players to make sure their title defence does not end in disaster this time.

They blew it after winning the league in 2015- 16, a meltdown that saw Jose Mourinhoaxed and a miserable mid-table finish.

Courtois said: “Two years ago, we didn’t start well. A good start helps to keep that level throughout the season.

“Our aim is to fight for a title until the last day of the season and, if not, to be as high as possible - but obviously with Champions League football.”

From The Sun