Ian Wright thinks there are “rumblings of discontent” at Chelsea this season and does not believe manager Antonio Conte looks happy.
The Blues slumped to a 3-0 defeat to Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday after an error-strewn display.
While the result might not be too costly in the competition, it is not the first time the defending Premier League champions have failed to perform this season.
And former England and Arsenal striker Wright said on Sky Sports: “I think there is something going on.
“It was a bad performance. The players seem to be mirroring the attitude of the manager in his press conferences, rather than the guy that when they score you see the energy burst out of him.
“It seems like there has been rumblings of discontent from the start of the season and it seems to be carrying on now. He just doesn’t seem happy there.”
There was speculation over Conte’s future in the summer until he signed a new deal, although that only increased his salary and did not extend his time at the club.
Wright said: “When he signed a contract and they gave him more money but no extension; when you have won the Premier League I found that very strange. That you wouldn’t want to keep a manager like that or a manager like that wouldn’t want to stay and want more years to get it right.”
There have been suggestions that some players have been unhappy with Conte’s training methods this season as Chelsea, who face Manchester United on Sunday, look to balance the Premier League and Champions League.
But Wright said: “I could understand that if we are after Christmas and it’s not going well, but are we far enough in the season to say the players are tired?
“Yes the manager has intense training sessions, but you know that, they had it last season. They didn’t have the Champions League, but I don’t think that’s an excuse. I think it’s too early to say tiredness is starting to affect them.”
Matt Le Tissier agreed with Wright, and added: “It all stems from the manager and his demeanour.
“You see him press conferences and he is having moans and digs at things that wouldn’t have bothered him last season when things were going well, he would have let it all wash over him, this season because things aren’t so great he’s letting things get to him.”
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