Chelsea skipper Gary Cahill backs coach Antonio Conte as split speculation intensifies

The Italian led the Blues to last season’s league title in his first season in charge, but he has been surrounded by speculation since the summer

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Chelsea skipper Gary Cahill has come out in defence of his manager Antonio Conte. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:45am, 30 Jan 2018Updated: 10:18pm, 30 Jan 2018

Chelsea captain Gary Cahill has insisted that he and his fellow players have “no idea” about Antonio Conte’s future at the Premier League champions as they prepare to take on Bournemouth on Wednesday.

The Italian led the Blues to last season’s league title in his first season in charge, but he has been surrounded by speculation since the summer, with reports of a split between the club and coach over Chelsea’s transfer policy.

Conte is reported to be unhappy about the club’s transfer policy. Photo: AFP

“It is between the manager and the board. We have no idea about that, we have no idea what’s going on between the lines,” the England centre-back told reporters.

“I have experienced it a lot in my time here, but this has been a successful period. Chelsea is a successful football club and he is a top manager. We can’t have any impact.”

Third-placed Chelsea are 15 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City and Conte remains under pressure but Cahill insists he still has the backing of all the players.

“Of course we are 100 per cent behind him. There is nothing between the manager and players, whatsoever,” he said