Antonio Conte has received a sharp reminder that a week is a long time in football with Chelsea facing a nightmare Premier League and Champions League run, and Alvaro Morata out with a back injury.

Just seven days ago, Conte was preparing his side to try to secure top spot in Group C on the back of six victories in seven Premier League games and Morata’s first goal in four matches.

But Chelsea have been punished for failing to beat Atletico Madrid at Stamford Bridge last Tuesday night by drawing Barcelona in the last-16 of the Champions League.

The draw means Chelsea will have to play Barcelona twice and Manchester City and Manchester United away in just over three weeks, and Conte is already worried that his squad is not big enough to cope.

Conte will be without Morata for Tuesday night’s Premier League trip to Huddersfield Town, as the Blues attempt to bounce back from the defeat to West Ham United that the Italian believes ended any hope of retaining the title.

“I think we have to face the reality and will try to do our best,” said Conte. “If I stay here to complain it is not the right way. We have to try to do our best.