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Chelsea will be making a mistake if Antonio Conte is not in charge next season, says Jamie Carragher

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05:  Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea reacts during the UEFA Champions League group C match between Chelsea FC and Atletico Mad
Image: Jamie Carragher says Chelsea will be making a mistake if they part with Antonio Conte

Chelsea would be making a mistake if they were to part ways with head coach Antonio Conte before the start of next season, according to Jamie Carragher.

Conte has previously made his feelings known regarding the club's failure to secure all of his transfer targets, and he said it would be "impossible" for Chelsea to retain their Premier League crown after the 1-0 defeat by West Ham earlier this month.

Carragher maintains he does not expect the former Italy and Juventus boss to be at Stamford Bridge next season - a scenario he feels would be detrimental to the club's chances of regaining the title.

"I said at the start of the season before a ball was kicked that I'd be surprised if he was at Chelsea next season because he wasn't shy in letting it be known that he wasn't happy with the recruitment in the summer," Carragher said on Monday Night Football.

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"They've had great success changing managers, but for me I think it would be a mistake if Conte wasn't in the hot seat next season.

"I think he's brilliant. I think this season, you can't compare what he's done to Manchester City, it's a bit of a freak.

"In a normal season, they'd probably be three or four points off the top like they are with (Manchester) United. The way he's dealt with the (Diego) Costa situation, David Luiz this season, he takes no mess.

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"He's a proper top manager, I'd love to still see him there, but I'd be surprised if he is next season."

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John Terry believes Chelsea are the second best team in the Premier League behind runaway leaders Manchester City

Conte has warned that clubs need to start competing with Manchester City in the transfer market in order to prevent Pep Guardiola's men from embarking on a period of dominance both domestically and in Europe.

City are currently 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League and with the transfer window re-opening next month, there have been reports that Guardiola will look to sign Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

Chelsea have won eight of their last 10 games, and John Terry, a special guest on Monday Night Football, highlighted Conte's energy and intensity on the training ground in helping to get the best out of his players.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21:  John Terry of Chelsea and Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea celebrate after the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderl
Image: Terry was impressed with the tactical intensity of his former boss

The former Chelsea captain said: "It's very tough. It was physically more demanding (than under Jose Mourinho), a bit more running which is normal for Italian coaches.

"When you're working 45 minutes to an hour just on tactics, you can see the benefits at the weekend so you don't mind doing that.

"If you're not getting the results, players might start saying it's because we're doing too many tactics or too much of this. He's got a really good balance in the group and players enjoy it.

"It worked for us unbelievably last year and the only reason it's not worked quite as well this year is because Manchester City have gone again."

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