Chelsea news: Antonio Conte SLAMS Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho - I worked a miracle

ANTONIO CONTE came out fighting ahead of Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge with some thinly-disguised criticism of his Chelsea predecessor.

Posted Sunday, November 05, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

Chelsea news: Antonio Conte SLAMS Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho - I worked a miracle
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said he worked a miracle after Jose Mourinho's sacking

Conte delivered a defiant message before what is arguably a must-win game if the Blues are to stand a realistic chance of retaining the Premier League title.

He said: “Our mentality must be a winning mentality and we must think positive. We must be ready to fight.”

The returning Special One will probably get a warm reception at the Bridge today but Conte feels he is not getting all the credit he deserves for transforming Chelsea’s fortunes last season, having picked up the pieces after Mourinho’s sacking during the previous campaign.

Conte said: “Don’t forget that in the last few years we have lost a lot of important players – Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ivanovic, Mikel and Matic.

"They were players who wrote history at this club. Now we are restarting to build something important.”

Then came the no-nonsense observation that might well make Mourinho smart.

"Last season was a miracle because we had the same players who finished 10th the season before,” Conte said.

"Chelsea are used to winning the league in the past, but if it is a surprise when they do it means you are doing a miracle.”

Conte presents a strong case for the recognition he believes is his right.

"I think I earned my time here with the win of last season,” he said. “But now we are trying to build something important. It’s important to have the patience and then to have the time.”