ANTONIO CONTE fears Manchester City will gobble up all before them because of the club’s mega-spending power.
City are 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League after spending £220million in the summer.
Now they are ready with a £70m bid for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk next month as they power towards the title.
Chelsea boss Conte reckons it is not a fair fight on or off the field as a result. He said: “Every team, every club, must pay great attention.
“If a club like Manchester City takes all the best players, it will be very difficult for us to compete — not only in England but in Europe.”
Chelsea could rival City in the hunt for Van Dijk but the Etihad outfit are favourites along with Liverpool to land the highly-rated Holland centre-back. Conte admits City boss Pep Guardiola has used his money well — even if their spending power has given the league leaders the edge.
Chelsea’s Italian boss said: “When you have this opportunity to go in the market to spend a lot of money, I think it is right to do this. "You must obviously be very, very good to spend your money in the right way. Sometimes you can spend a lot of money in a bad way.
“You must be clever to understand the positions you have to improve. Last season we did a fantastic job. “Don’t forget two years ago the team finished the league 10th. Our transfer spending wasn’t so impressive.
“Generally, we didn’t do anything. It was a fantastic job but this job is continuing this season.
“We are trying to change the average age of our team. Now I think our team is younger than last season.
“I think for a club like Chelsea it is very important to start to do this if you want to create a new base and face the future with confidence. “Don’t forget two years ago the team finished the league 10th. Our transfer spending wasn’t so impressive.
“Generally, we didn’t do anything. It was a fantastic job but this job is continuing this season.
“We are trying to change the average age of our team. Now I think our team is younger than last season.
“I think for a club like Chelsea it is very important to start to do this if you want to create a new base and face the future with confidence.
From The Sun
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