Antonio Conte insists Chelsea’s failure this season is partly down to players too but autopsy should wait until summer

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Antonio Conte insists the inquest into Chelsea’s disappointing campaign must wait until the end of the season but has made it clear the blame for the club’s failure to live up to last season’s championship success extends beyond the head coach and must be shared by the players and the club’s hierarchy.

The failure to beat West Ham United mean Conte’s side head to Southampton on Saturday knowing the top four is now beyond them after a dismal run that has brought just three league victories since the turn of the year. Their last chance of adding gloss to the season lies in the FA Cup and they will face an early reunion with Mark Hughes’ struggling side when the two teams meet at Wembley in next Sunday’s semi-final.

Conte’s future remains uncertain and it appears increasingly unlikely that he will be at Stamford Bridge at the start of next season. Whatever decision is taken about the Italian’s position, Conte is adamant that responsibility for the succession of mistakes that have been made since last May’s title success should be shared throughout the Stamford Bridge club.

“It's difficult now to explain the reasons why we're struggling in this way this season,” said Conte, whose side have won just three league games since the turn of the year. “For sure, for sure, we made a lot of mistakes this season. When I talk about a lot of mistakes, I involve me, my staff, the players and the club. For sure, we must reflect at the end of the season and understand where the mistakes were.

“I’m the coach,” he added. I'm the coach of this team. I'm the first person to take my responsibility. But, for sure, I'm not alone. Now is not the right moment.”

The futures of Belgium pair Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard remain uncertain with Paris-Saint Germanic believed to be stepping up the their interest in Courtois while Real Madrid has made both players targets.

The lack of Champions League football at Stamford Bridge next season will do nothing to strengthen Chelsea’s hand as they attempt to retain their best players but Conte believes the experience of two seasons ago suggests it is by no means guaranteed the will be a rush to leave, and urged his players to help return the club to the top four.

“For sure, if we don't qualify for the Champions League, it means that we have to divide the fault, also with the players,” he said. “If you are not able to take a qualification in the Champions League, and then you must consider playing next season without Champions League and to stay here and fight for this club. I think this is not the first time. Two years ago, this happened the same. I didn't see many players going away from this club then.”