Chelsea FC news: Antonio Conte tells Manchester United and Manchester City – Spending money does not guarantee success!

1 Antonio Conte

Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has made a veiled criticism of Manchester United and Manchester City, saying spending money does not guarantee success.

Jose Mourinho’s United bought Paul Pogba for a world record fee of £89million and Pep Guardiola’s City made big outlays on players including £50m defender John Stones. But both sides are battling for Champions League football next term.

Chelsea were third in Premier League spending last summer – their £123million outlay was behind City’s £174m and United’s £149m – but sit four points clear of Tottenham with six Premier League games to go.

Conte, whose side play Southampton on Tuesday night, said: “This season it’s very important to understand that it’s not always about who spends more money who wins.

“This season isn’t the only season both Manchester clubs have spent a lot of money. Look at the past.

“It’s right for them to do this, to reinforce their teams, if they think this is the right way to win the title.

“(But) every single club decides their own strategy.”

Chelsea last summer signed N’Golo Kante for £32m from Leicester, last season’s champions.

Kante has shown he is a crucial part of the Chelsea team and the midfielder was on Sunday named the Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year.

Conte has spoken repeatedly of Chelsea being in a transitional period with Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel having left and club captain John Terry leaving this summer.

Chelsea are seeking leaders and Kante is one, but not in the traditional sense.

“He’s a silent leader and a leader on the pitch by example,” Conte added.

“He’s not the type of player who likes to speak (out). He’s not John (Terry) in terms of his personality. He’s different.”