Some Chelsea players “losing on purpose” to get Antonio Conte sacked, suggests Frank Leboeuf

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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is being let down by his players this season, according to former defender Frank Leboeuf, who also believes the manager has already given up. 

Conte won the Premier League last season with this current Chelsea side but – reminiscent of Jose Mourinho’s second tenure at Stamford Bridge – this season the west London club have struggled in the league and currently sit 11 points outside the top four.

Having lost to Barcelona over two legs in the Champions League Round of 16, Chelsea’s only chance of silverware this season is in the FA Cup, where they face rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley in the semi-final. NaijaBet.com

Overall, however, Chelsea have failed to replicate last season’s performances, and former Chelsea player Leboeuf has gone as far as to state the players are “almost losing on purpose”.

Speaking to SFR Sport, Leboeuf said: “It’s a lack of respect for the fans and the club, both on the manager’s part, because he’s already packed his bags, but also from the players.

“We saw it with Mourinho, it seemed like some of the players were almost losing on purpose so the manager can get sacked as quickly as possible.

“I knew a team that was hungry for trophies, wanted to win. Now, it doesn’t seem that way. One year you win the league, the next it’s a mess.” NaijaBet.com

Chelsea play West Ham United on Sunday afternoon in a London derby that holds importance to both sides.

Conte’s side will want to attempt a fourth-place push despite the magnitude of the task before them. In contrast, the Hammers need the points to help ensure they keep their place in the Premier League for next season.