Antonio Conte blamed the air conditioning, which is not the sort of line that can be expected to kick off a piece on Chelsea’s derby against Arsenal on Sunday. Stick with it. The Chelsea manager has a throat infection, he has been on antibiotics since Thursday and he is in a race against time to recover his fitness. It is significant, Conte acknowledged, because no manager in the Premier League – or the whole of European football? – relies more heavily on his vocal cords during a match. As Conte croaked, a little menacingly, through his press conference on Friday, it was put to him that at least his players might be in for an easier ride. “I...
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