Antonio Conte worries touchline antics are a health risk
The Italian is a man who kicks every ball and bellows to his players from his technical area.
Mourinho appeared to express his annoyance when speaking at length to his successor after Chelsea’s emphatic win over Manchester United last Sunday.
Italian media reported Mourinho had been annoyed that Conte had encouraged the home support to cheer on the Blues when they were already 4-0 up, saying “it’s humiliating”.
Conte, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s match at Southampton, was asked if he had spoken to his Chelsea predecessor Mourinho since.
“No, but I don’t think it’s necessary,” Conte said.
The former Juventus and Italy head coach is, though, concerned for his own well-being.
“I’m worried about this,” Conte said. “For this reason, I try to run, to maintain a good physical form. It’s important because I know that I risk a bit.”
Conte likes to run for 30 to 40 minutes at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, when time allows, changing the “rhythm” of his run. But he does not over-exert himself.
“In my career I ran a lot. I’m in credit,” the former midfielder added.
Conte will continue with his 3-4-3 formation against the Saints, which could be ominous for captain John Terry.
After three successive Premier League wins with nine goals scored without reply, Chelsea lost 2-1 in the EFL Cup at West Ham on Wednesday. Terry was making his first appearance in more than six weeks following an ankle injury and in a three-man defence which has been alien to him for much of his career.
The defender appeared rusty, was beaten in the air by Cheikhou Kouyate and was switched from the central position to the left of the three-man defence at half-time.
Conte said: “I don’t like to talk about individual players. We win together and we lose together in every circumstance.
“It’s logical that John came back from injury and it’s not easy to restart and to find quickly the right shape. I’m satisfied (with) him, (with) the team.
“John is an important player for us, if he plays, if he doesn’t play, for the changing room, for his team-mates, for the club.
“I have always to take the best decision for the team, never for an individual player.”
Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand could return from a hamstring injury for the visit of his former club Chelsea.
However, Jay Rodriguez is a doubt after going off following a clash of heads during Wednesday’s EFL Cup win over Sunderland and fellow striker Shane Long is still out with a hamstring problem.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
