Chelsea boss Antonio Conte: The Premier League is the most intense and difficult competition in Europe

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James Benge15 October 2017

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is convinced the wide array of potential title winners in England makes the Premier League the toughest competition in Europe.

The Blues are battling to remain in sight of league leaders Manchester City and with less than a quarter of the season played trail Pep Guardiola’s side by nine points.

City are one of three sides to have beaten champions Chelsea this term, with bottom of the table Crystal Palace claiming their first points of the campaign in thrilling fashion with a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park.

Despite having romped to the Premier League title in his first year in English football this season is shaping up to be more trying for Conte, who insists there is no more competitive division in Europe.

Speaking ahead of the season in an interview with GQ published today, Conte said: “This is the toughest [league], the most intense, the most difficult, no doubt. In Spain, you have two teams who might win, Real Madrid and Barcelona, every now and then Atletico Madrid.

“In Italy, there is only Juventus. In Germany, there is Bayern Munich. OK, Borussia Dortmund won it with Klopp, but it is [mostly] Bayern. In France, there is Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco for a season.

“But here, there are at least six clubs who think they can win the title. Manchester City and United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham... And Chelsea, for sure.”

Conte added: “Winning in England, winning in this league is so hard and only one team can win, so it is important that we put all of ourselves into doing the best job we can do.”

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