Antonio Conte says Chelsea must back him this summer or they risk slipping behind European rivals
Italian is demanding more signings this summer despite already spending £129million in this window
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ANTONIO CONTE has warned Chelsea they MUST back him in the transfer market to avoid being Champions League also-rans.
The Blues boss said: “I know we have a lot of road ahead before we can compete to try to win the Champions League.
“We are trying to rebuild a situation and it’s not easy.
“You need a bit of time to create a structure and to build every season — and then to go to fight.
“It is always important to know the reality and then to try and work and try to improve.”
Conte watched Chelsea’s 2012 triumph but after seeing their 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich this week — and despite spending £129million already — he says the gulf in European class is only too evident.
He said: “Bayern Munich are ready to fight to win the Champions League because every season they stay there, and they try to improve the team.
“For them it is easier now because they have a good structure.
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“You arrive at the end of the season and sign one or two players to improve your team but you have 17 or 18 players for a good basis.
“Then you can pay £80m for one player or £90m for two players and your transfer market is finished.
“When you must rebuild you need to buy players but also create the solid foundation, and then find one or two strong players to improve your quality.”
Bayern, who are touring in Singapore with Chelsea, also left a host of quality players back in Germany.
Conte, 47, added: “We played a very strong team and they had Alaba and Bernat on the bench. And seven players at home.
“We started this season with only 11 players and we bought Bakayoko, Rudiger, Morata and Caballero.”