Chelsea’s Antonio Conte criticised by Martin Keown over fixture comments

Antonio Conte has been criticised by Arsenal legend Martin Keown for complaining about Chelsea’s fixture build-up this season.

The Italian was not happy after his side beat Atletico Madrid in a memorable Champions League performance, with a big game against Manchester City coming up this weekend.

Conte believes his players are not getting sufficient time to rest between matches, but Keown says the Blues boss can have no complaints after his side’s easy schedule last season.

Chelsea weren’t in Europe last year as Conte was able to field the same team almost every week on his way to Premier League glory.

Hitting back at Conte’s complaints, Keown admits he was baffled by the Chelsea manager’s comments.

‘How on earth can Conte complain? He won the league last season from a blank piece of paper in terms of extra fixtures in Europe,’ Keown wrote in the Daily Mail.

‘After profiting from their scarcity of games, Conte cannot take issue with a problem caused directly by his own success.

‘Of course no-one likes playing their rivals close to Champions League games. But there are so many good teams in the Premier League now that you cannot manipulate the fixtures.

‘It would be one thing complaining if Chelsea had to go up to the Etihad on Saturday but they play at Stamford Bridge!

‘As a player, I would sooner have a home game after a trip to Europe. City may have had an extra day’s preparation but Chelsea have home advantage.

‘To moan about fixtures actually detracts from the fact Chelsea go into this game in really good shape. That winner with the last kick of the game will have lifted and bonded the group.’

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