Chelsea set to keep Conte even without Champions League soccer

Blues owner Roman Abramovich might keep Antonio Conte even if Chelsea fail to qualify for next season's Champions League

Chelsea have struggled in recent times.  The defending champions are in the fifth place on the league table.  It is hardly surprising that some observers have speculated that trigger-happy Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich could lose patience with fiery Italian coach Antonio Conte and fire him.

However, there are now reports that Conte could end up surviving at Chelsea — even without a top-four finish this season.

Two league defeats in a row have dropped the Blues to fifth, five points behind Tottenham.

Owner Roman Abramovich is ready to keep his head coach as long as he stops moaning about transfers.

Conte’s whinging over spending, about having no money to compete with Manchester City and his consistent negative attitude in public has become ‘wearing’ for the club’s top brass.

An insider at Stamford Bridge said:
“Roman is not so trigger happy these days when it comes to firing managers.

“Champions League football is important but not a deal breaker.

“These days Roman wants to give his managers every opportunity.

“The stress point could be if Antonio starts complaining again.

“People are growing weary of it all.”