EPL: Chelsea told to sack four senior players instead of Conte

Chelsea legend, Marcel Desailly, has warned the club against sacking
manager, Antonio Conte.

He said instead, the club should sell "four or five" players.

The Italian is expected to leave the club at the end of the season
after a disappointing second season at Stamford Bridge.

Last season, Conte guided Chelsea to the Premier League title but his
relationship with the board has soured this season due to his lack of
involvement in the club's transfer strategy.

Chelsea's sacking strategy has proved successful in the past but
Desailly said they should stick to Conte this time and should sell
players instead.

He told Daily Mail, "What was working last season with Conte suddenly
cannot work this season. Before they've changed the coach, and kept
the players.

"This time they should keep the coach and look to move four to five
players on. '

"Your best players' performances have dropped and Chelsea did not get
the correct players with the correct strengths or another top player
in the summer.

"Players like [Victor] Moses and [Marcos] Alonso played a magnificent
season last year but they were in need of support this year.

"It's been a collective failure at Chelsea this season. I don't think
the situation that Chelsea are in is Conte's fault – you must give him
that season.'

Desailly added that the club's decision to let Matic and Diego Costa
go last summer has cost them dearly.

He added, "Massive, massive. Costa would have scored 10 goals more
than [his replacement] Alvaro Morata.

"So maybe that's five more wins and that's a big difference. And the
system of three at the back did not work this season because Conte
lost Matic,' added Desailly.

"Matic fitted with N'Golo Kante at the time and Cesc Fabregas fitted
better in that system with him too. Together they protected the
defence like it was needed."