Antonio Conte could quit Chelsea just months after winning the Premier League title, warns former Blues striker Chris Sutton.
The Italian tactician has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge, taking the club from 10th to the title since joining last summer.
Yet there have been persistent rumblings that his stay in West London will be a short one.
He signed a fresh contract earlier this summer in a bid to quieten speculation – however it has had little effect. That he didn’t extend the length of his deal with the Blues, which stands at two years, appeared telling.
Chelsea’s summer transfer activity appears to have agitated the situation further with Conte cutting an unhappy figure during pre-season.
Many would argue Chelsea look weaker now than they did a few months ago amid the imminent departure of Diego Costa and exit of Nemanja Matic.
The latter of those was seemingly jettisoned against Conte’s wishes and it is that situation which Sutton believes could push the Italian to quit Chelsea.
‘Conte has said that he wants to avoid a ”Mourinho season”, Sutton told the Daily Mail. ‘I can see him walking.
‘He walked from Juventus when he didn’t get his own way. If the club are selling Matic from under his nose then it’s not looking great.’
The Blues lost the Community Shield last weekend which didn’t improve the picture at Chelsea. They get their season properly started on Saturday when they host Burnley.
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