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Chelsea have lost their last two league games to Bournemouth and Watford in embarrassing circumstances, and now face a testing period where the Blues will face the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Barcelona twice in the Champions League.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte wants public backing from the Chelsea chiefs as his job is now on the line, and has blamed the board for the team’s current failures.

However, former Manchester United star Paul Ince has told the Italian to take a leaf from United boss Jose Mourinho.

“The arguments Conte is having with the board, essentially telling them to sack him if they aren’t happy with the job he’s doing, will have a detrimental effect on the players – whether he’s right or not,” Ince told PaddyPower.

“When you join Chelsea, you know exactly what you’re letting yourself in for, in terms of the owner and his team – it’s ruthless.

“Conte won’t like this, but he needs to take a leaf out of Mourinho’s book and turn the focus of discussions back onto football.”