Between Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho there is ‘zero problems'

Chelsea and Manchester United go head-to-head this Sunday at Old Trafford but the Blues manager, Antonio Conte, has said his touchline tension with Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge is nothing more than a "sporting conflict." He has claimed that he has "zero problem" with Jose Mourinho ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash at Manchester United

Both meetings between Chelsea and United at Stamford Bridge this season saw Conte and Mourinho interchange angry words from their respective technical areas and in last month's bitter FA Cup tie.

Jose Mourinho was regarded as "Judas" by a section of Blues supporters during United's FA Cup defeat, but the man who led them to three titles said afterwards that "Judas is still No 1 " until someone beats that record.

The two managers had heated exchanges during both meetings between the two clubs so far this season.

Conte has warned his players to guard against a "very dangerous" Zlatan Ibrahimovic when Chelsea take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.


Mourinho took matter with Conte's conduct during the closing stages of Chelsea's 4-0 win over the Red Devils in October, while the Italian was angered by Man United's physical treatment of Eden Hazard during their FA Cup quarter-final clash last month.

"There is a game of football and I want to win with my team, he wants to win with his team. It's normal to be in conflict during the game but only a sporting conflict, he said.

"Do I like the conflict? No, I don't like it. I prefer to concentrate on my team. But sometimes it's normal for me and the other coach to have this situation. But do I like it? No."

Conte confronts Jose Mourinho following a challenge on Marcos Alonso from Antonio Valencia

"It's very simple, the conflict is the game. It's not a friendly game, both teams want the three points and for this reason you fight to win.

Chelsea at present is topping the Premier League table, while Man United sit fifth in the standings.

However, Conte stressed that he doesn’t have any person problem with the Manchester United boss and insisted that any problems on the touchline are results of two highly competitive managers wanting their respective teams to win a game of football.

When asked for his reaction to Mourinho’s ‘Judas number one’ comment, Conte said: “No reaction, he won a lot with his team and I repeat this club will always show him great respect.

“We have great respect for his history at this club and nothing has changed.”

Blues duo Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante are on the six-man shortlist to be named PFA Player of the Year, but the Blues manager has refuses to pick a winner between the two.

Hazard and Kante are up against Harry Kane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku for the top award.

"I think it's great for them, it's a great achievement to receive this nomination," said Conte.

"I hope for them to be the best player of the year and also I want them to win the league. Awards are important but the most important thing is if you match the two.

"But I don't like to make a choice between two of my players. It's not right. They deserve the best because they are having a good season, but I think all my players are having a great season."