Chelsea have already lost three Premier League games this season (Picture: Getty)

Antonio Conte wants Chelsea to ‘build something important for the future’ this season after admitting it will be difficult to defend the Premier League title.

The Blues have lost three of their opening eight league games during the 2017-18 campaign and Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace saw them fall nine points adrift of Manchester City.

Chelsea struggled in the early stages of last season before going on an impressive run but Conte admits his side face a bigger task now as they compete in four competitions.

‘Every season is different – last season we didn’t play in the Champions League or Europa League,’ Conte said.

The reigning champions were beaten by Crystal Palace on Saturday (Picture: Getty)

‘This season we are facing four competitions. We are having a few problems to do this because when you have three or four injuries you are in trouble.

‘This season we have to try to build something important for the future, to give possibilities to the new players to get more experience in this league, and to give opportunities to the young players to show they deserve to stay and play for Chelsea.

‘We must have patience this season. It won’t be easy.’

Chelsea 2017/18 Fixtures

Newcastle (A) - Sun May 13

While Chelsea have struggled this term, the two Manchester clubs are enjoying fine runs and remain unbeaten after eight games of the season.

Pep Guardiola’s City smashed Stoke 7-2 at the weekend to go two points clear of United, who secured a point at Anfield against frustrated Liverpool.

Asked if he is concerned about the gap between Chelsea and their title rivals, Conte told Sky Sports on Saturday: ‘I think we have to go game-by-game.

Roy Hodgson’s Palace secured their first points of the season (Picture: Getty)

‘This season will be very difficult in all aspects, for this reason we must be focused game by game and try to do our best. At the end of the season we’ll see what happens.’

Chelsea will hope to put their mediocre league run behind them when Roma travel to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

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