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Conte says his Chelsea players have shown a 'top' mentality this season

Antonio Conte has refuted the suggestion that his Chelsea side have lacked a winning mentality this season.

The Blues, who stormed to the Premier League title with a record-breaking 30 victories last May, have had an inconsistent season so far, - with the champions suffering humiliating back-to-back defeats to Bournemouth (3-0 at home) and Watford (4-1 away) in the past few weeks.

However, Chelsea bounced back by beating West Brom in the Premier League, Hull in the FA Cup and securing a 1-1 draw at home to Barcelona in their Champions League round of 16 first-leg tie on Tuesday.

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Conte's men now face a daunting trip to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday and, ahead of the game, the Italian insisted his players have shown a similar winning mentality to last season, when they won the title.

When asked if the Chelsea players had a problem with their mentality this term, Conte told reporters: "No, no. We missed only one game mentality-wise, against Watford.

"From the start of the season in every game our mentality was top, was top. Under this aspect, I must be very pleased because I have a group of players who work very well.

"There is always great commitment and great behaviours. But I've said this many times. I'm very happy to be the coach of these players. I'm very pleased, 100%, to work with these players.

"A winning mentality, it doesn't mean you have to win every game. A winning mentality is about the way you prepare the game, your commitment during training sessions, always at 100% and to have good behaviour with your coach, team-mates, fans, the opponents... this is a winning mentality.

"To try in every game to start with one idea, to try and win the game... this is a winning mentality. It doesn't mean you are able to win every game.

"Sometimes the mind can switch off. For example, against Watford, it happened. Not only one player, but the whole team. But we learned a lot in that game."