Antonio Conte says the time has come for Chelsea to prove they are winners or losers
Blues boss has told his mis-firing squad the time has come for them to prove themselves as they prepare to face Manchester United on Sunday
ANTONIO CONTE says now is the time he will find out whether his Chelsea players are winners or losers.
Chelsea take on Manchester United on Sunday knowing defeat could spell the end of the realistic hopes of retaining their Premier League title.
The midweek 3-0 defeat to Roma has hit hard in the Blues dressing room - with Conte letting rip at all his players during a heated team meeting after returning to England.
And the Italian says the clash with Jose Mourinho's side at Stamford Bridge will show just what kind of characters he has in his squad.
Conte said: "I am happy to work with my players, the commitment is always good. But in this season we are struggling a lot because we are facing a lot of problems.
"To solve these problems is not simple.
"In this moment you can see if you are winners or losers. This moment.
"When it is positive it is very simple to play well and have confidence. In this moment when you are struggling it is important to show our character, to be strong and to face the problem in the right way.
WAKE UP Antonio Conte lets rip at his Chelsea stars - and calls out Kenedy for yawning
"I am used to doing this in my life. I have struggled a lot in my life, as a player and as a coach. My history shows this."
Conte is aware that with a nine point deficit on leaders Manchester City, his team are already playing catch-up in the title race.
latest Chelsea transfer news
But he says there may be nothing anyone else in the league can do if City do not start suffering a loss of form soon.
He added: "Now there is a big problem for all the teams that want to fight for the title – and this big problem is Manchester City.
"If they continue in this way, this is the big problem for all the teams who think about the title.
"If they continue this way it is very difficult to fight for the title.
"We have to try to do our best in every game. Until now we deserve only to have these points."
