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