Antonio Conte claims Sean Dyche has it easy at Burnley compared to Chelsea job

Antonio Conte has remarkably claimed that Burnley coach Sean Dyche has an easy job compared to the one that he has at Chelsea.

Dyche has led Burnley to within two points of sixth-placed Arsenal this term having spent only around £35m on players in 2017-18 and they were tipped at the start to be in a relegation battle.

In contrast, Conte, who won the title with Chelsea last May, has spent around £200m more than Burnley on new talent.

The Blues take on Burnley at Turf Moor sitting just two positions above them in the table and while Conte insists Dyche deserves credit, he claims being in charge at Stamford Bridge is more of a challenge.

Conte explained: "I think he (Dyche) is doing an important job. He is doing a great job this season. But if you start the season trying to fight to avoid the relegation zone it is more simple.

"It is more simple also if you have a small budget because you can count on a team that in the past you qualify to play again in the league.

"It is more difficult when you have to prepare the transfer market to win something because only one team wins. The others must see the other team win."

Conte believes ending the campaign having merely survived in the top flight is far less of an achievement.

He added: "It is more simple because you have to avoid the last three places at the bottom and then you can stay between 10 teams. You can play only for this target.

"And then, I repeat, if you have a good base and in the previous season you played very well, you can count on this basis.

"It is difficult if you have to play to win because only one team wins and if the other doesn't win you are the first to speak about a failed season.

"If you don't win the FA Cup, the League, the Carabao Cup, it is a failure season and for this reason it is more difficult to play for this target."

Burnley showed their intent to compete with the top half of the table by winning 3-2 at Chelsea on the opening day.

"I remember very well that game," Conte said. "If you remember after 10-15 minutes, there was a red card for Gary Cahill.

"We started to play this game with a guy that then we sent on loan in Jeremie Boga. We went 3-0 down then came back to 3-2. it was a strange game.

"They deserved to win. It was important to improve their confidence but they showed during the season that to play against Burnley is very tough, not simple."