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Antonio Conte: I don't want to create a siege mentality at Chelsea but a winning one

Antonio Conte insists he will not create a siege mentality at Chelsea in order to motivate his players.

Champions Chelsea have struggled to replicate the same kind of form this season that they displayed last term when they stormed to the Premier League title in record-breaking fashion.

This has been down, in part, to the demands of playing in the Champions League this season which has left continued questions being asked about Conte's long-term future at Stamford Bridge and criticism being aimed at some players for their below-par performances at times.

The frustration of Chelsea's recent struggles to win games was clear to see against Norwich on Wednesday when three players were booked for diving, one of which was Alvaro Morata who was sent off for his angry reaction at being cautioned for simulation.

However, despite siting in fourth place in the Premier League standings, 15 points off leaders Manchester City, Chelsea are still in the Champions League, have an EFL Cup semi-final second leg to contest with Arsenal next week and are into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

And Conte insists his players must find the motivation to win each week from within themselves rather than being motivated purely to prove their critics wrong.

When asked if he has created a war-like mentality in the Chelsea camp this season, Conte replied: "No, I think we have to try and we are working under this aspect to create a strong mentality.

"Not because we have to build a strong mentality and you have to feel under attack - this is a stupid thing. I have to transfer to my players, 'Oh, we are under attack from the referees, from the journalists and the other teams'? This is not the right way.

"We are in a great team. I work with great players. Great players working in a great team must have a strong, winning mentality. They don't need to have other stimulation.

"Other situations push themselves to create this mentality. You have to create this mentality because every player playing for a great team must have a strong, winning mentality."

He added: "In every sport you have to fight if you want to reach great achievements. I think in England, it's very difficult to win the title. More than in other countries. Because you start the season with six top teams trying to win the title. This is the only country where you can find this type of situation.

"At the same time, it's very difficult to fight and find a place in the top four. Last season, Manchester United and Arsenal stayed out. Two seasons ago, Liverpool were out and Chelsea finished 10th. They were out.

"But we must be ready, we must be ready to fight for a place in the top four. It won't be easy because every team wants to reach this target. This target is very prestigious for every team because this competition, the Champions League, is the biggest in the world for clubs.

"We must be optimistic. There are four months to play. We are in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup with the possibility of reaching the final, the fourth round of the FA Cup, the Champions League, and we're fighting for a Champions League place in the league.

"We must be optimistic and continue to work. Our work must give us the right optimism."