Chelsea news: Jose Mourinho will be laughing at Antonio Conte - Richard Keys

JOSE MOURINHO will be one of a cluster of former Chelsea managers laughing at Antonio Conte.

Antonio Conte coaches Chelsea versus Roma in the Champions LeagueGETTY

Antonio Conte saw Chelsea slump to a 3-0 Champions League defeat to Roma on Tuesday night

That's the verdict of veteran pundit Richard Keys in the wake of the Blues' 3-0 Champions League defeat to Roma.

Conte enjoyed a stellar first season in English football, leading Chelsea to the Premier League title and an FA Cup final appearance.

But he's found the going tougher this time around and his side are currently nine points adrift of table-toppers Manchester City.

Chelsea look on course to reach the Champions League knockout stages but stumbled at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday night.

Jose Mourinho must be laughing his United red socks off right now

Veteran pundit Richard Keys

Keys has suggested Conte is a victim of so-called player power - and he reckons Manchester United gaffer Mourinho will be loving it.

On his personal blog, Keys explained: "There is something very wrong at Chelsea again. Well, I say ‘again’, but there’s no need really is there? There’s been something very wrong at that club for the last decade.

"That Chelsea dressing room dominates everything at the club. Time and again ‘it’ has seen off one coach after another. The personnel might change in there, but attitudes don’t. If they don’t like you - you’re out.

"Somehow Chelsea fly in the face of the generally accepted formula that any club looking for success must have stability in the managers’ office. Arsenal have got that and yet stutter from an occasional FA Cup win to the next. On the other hand, Chelsea have won as many trophies as they’ve had coaches in the last decade! How? It defies logic.

Jose Mourinho coaches Manchester United versus Ajax in the Europa LeagueGETTY

Manchester United gaffer Jose Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea in December 2015

Conte annoyed with Chelsea's 'really bad' performance

"What did I read after the CL defeat Tuesday? ‘Roma Ruins’ was the most popular headline. Conte told us there was ‘no fight’ in his players.  Chelsea are nine points behind City in the PL. This season has been littered with red cards and surprise defeats. All of a sudden Conte’s ‘unplayable’ 3-5-2 looks very suspect.

"Jose Mourinho must be laughing his United red socks off right now. So too AVB [Andre Villas Boas], and a whole lot more ex-Chelsea coaches. Have the boys at The Bridge ‘downed tools’ again?"

Chelsea will be looking to get back to winning ways when they return to Premier League action on Sunday.

Conte's men play host to United at Stamford Bridge at 4.30pm.

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