"Chelsea have not won the Premier League since Antonio Conte led them to the 2016-17 title - and facing the Italian's Napoli side on Wednesday brings that into sharp focus. Conte's triumph came in the season when Pep Guardiola began his reign as Manchester City boss. It was Conte's first campaign in England, too, and Chelsea enjoyed a club-record 13 consecutive league wins on their way to lifting the championship with 93 points."
"Nine years down the line, we reach a dramatic finale to the Champions League's opening phase. Liam Rosenior's Chelsea need a win against Conte's Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to go directly into the last-16 stage. Their hosts - Serie A champions last season - must win to stay in the competition. Like so many aspects of Chelsea's recent history, you'd struggle to write this script."
"I have huge respect for him. Firstly as a player, he was a magnificent footballer. He then went on to - and still has - an incredible career as a coach. I think his passion as a player transmits to the passion in his teams and obviously when I was younger watching Chelsea play in the manner that they did, defensively so strong."
Antonio Conte's 2016–17 title remains Chelsea's last Premier League triumph, achieved with a club-record 13 consecutive wins and 93 points. Chelsea have undergone extensive player and coach turnover since Conte's 2018 departure, with seven permanent head coaches appointed. Chelsea won the Champions League under Thomas Tuchel in 2021 but have not returned to domestic dominance. Liam Rosenior's Chelsea must beat Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to qualify directly for the Champions League last 16, while Napoli need a win to stay in the competition. Rosenior expressed respect for Conte's playing and managerial career and praised the defensive strength of his former Chelsea side.
Read at www.bbc.com
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