Chelsea boss Antonio Conte calls series of team meetings to raise morale after shocker of opening day loss to Burnley
And it doesn't get any easier - next up is a trip to Wembley to take on London rivals and fellow title challengers Tottenham
ANTONIO CONTE has held a series of rabble-rousing team meetings ahead of Sunday’s crunch derby with Tottenham.
Chelsea’s worried boss is desperately trying to galvanise team spirit after a torrid start to the season.
A 3-2 defeat at home to Burnley on Saturday signalled a woeful start to the Blues’ title defence.
There is also anxiety over sluggishness in the transfer market and issues regarding injuries and suspensions after two opening-day red cards.
Speculation surrounding the Italian’s future continues, despite signing a new two-year contract worth £20million just a few weeks ago.
Now Conte has moved to pull his squad together in a bid to kick-start their faltering season.
The subject of transfers surfaced at one meeting at the club’s Surrey training ground.
Chelsea’s visit to Spurs at their temporary Wembley home now has added importance.
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The Blues have identified Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater as a major target, particularly since Nemanja Matic was sold to Manchester United.
But Conte will be made to sweat on that deal after it emerged Drinkwater does not have a get-out clause in his contract.
This means the Foxes can hold out for as much as possible for their long-serving midfielder, who has recently been capped by England.
Chelsea signed Drinkwater’s title-winning team-mate N’Golo Kante last summer by triggering his release clause of £29m.
Leicester are mindful of the fact a move to West London is a big step up for a player who turned out for them in the Championship.
But with no get-out clause, four years on his contract and Chelsea getting ever more desperate, the 2016 champions are sure to play hardball before striking a deal.
Conte is now aware he needs his players onside more than ever.
And he is using this week to focus on mental preparation as much as the tactical side of things to turn it around.
But wing-back Victor Moses is eligible again after serving a one-game ban for diving during the FA Cup final.
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Manchester United are believed to have dropped their interest in signing Tottenham’s Danny Rose, leaving Chelsea clear to make a run for him.
They are set to make a bid for the left-back next week after the two teams clash on Sunday.
But despite United standing down, Chelsea will still find it extremely difficult to land their prime defensive target.
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is renowned for being a tough negotiator.
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And he will be very reluctant to sell one of his best players to another London side, as well as a Premier League title rival.
The two clubs have developed an intense rivalry in recent seasons.
It all culminated in the infamous Battle of Stamford Bridge in 2016, which handed the title to Leicester as Chelsea battled to hold Tottenham to a bitter 2-2 draw.
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