Antonio Conte 'Worried' About Chelsea Securing Top-4 Finish

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has admitted he has concerns about his Blues side finishing the 2017-18 Premier League season in the top four after their shock home defeat to Bournemouth on Wednesday.

The Italian said after the 3-0 loss at Stamford Bridge that Chelsea had been overachieving recently but now the Premier League champions face a challenge to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League, per Dominic Fifield in the Guardian:

"Yes, I think we are doing more. We are doing more, yes. But we must be worried [about finishing in the top four]. It won't be easy, and we have to fight. I'm ready to do that and I think the players are starting to understand that this season we have to struggle for a position in the Champions League.

"The players, until now, have been great with their commitment and their behaviour. If they hadn't done that, our place in the table would be worse. If we want only to dream and not see the reality ... in this case, I can tell you now we can fight to win the title this season. Rather, it will be very important to look at the reality and know that, if we are able to reach a place in the Champions League, it will be a great success for us."

Despite admitting concerns about his side's chances of finishing in the top four, Conte is happy with what he has brought to Stamford Bridge.

"We are doing everything and I’m exploiting this squad at the maximum level," he said. "But, if someone doesn’t agree about this, I’m here. I have to accept every situation. I’m very relaxed about this. I know I’m doing a great job, a great work, me and the staff and the players."

Chelsea had not lost in the league since December 9, while their last home defeat came at the end of September.

But they were heavily beaten by manager Eddie's Howe's Cherries on Wednesday, when they conceded second-half goals from Callum Wilson, Junior Stanislas and Nathan Ake.

Fortunately for Chelsea, top-four rivals Manchester United and Arsenal also lost during the midweek action in the Premier League.

However, the Blues now lie in the fourth spot in the top flight, just two points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in fifth.

Chelsea's chances of successfully defending the title they won by seven points last term were effectively ended in the first half of the season.

Manchester City are the runaway leaders in the Premier League at the moment and only seem likely to stretch their lead further between now and the end of the season.

That means Chelsea are left scrapping for the final three Champions League spots with United, Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal, although the Gunners are slightly adrift in sixth.

The Blues still have a decent chance of winning some silverware in 2017-18, as they are still in the Champions League and the FA Cup.

However, the defeat to the Cherries was a big blow given how tight the top-four battle in the Premier League is.