Chelsea boss Antonio Conte believes Tottenham can win the Premier League title… and hails Pep Guardiola ahead of Manchester City clash
Blues chief reserves special praise for Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs and rival manager ahead of this weekend's showdown
CHELSEA boss Antonio Conte has backed Tottenham to mount a Premier League title challenge this season, while also reserving praise for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
The Italian chief, 47, was speaking ahead of the Blues' trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
But he kicked off his press conference by claiming Tottenham will be a genuine title contender this season, after his Chelsea side came from behind to beat Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs 2-1 last weekend.
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Conte said: "I think we played a really strong team against Tottenham and I think they can fight until the end for the title.
"This week we studied a lot our first half [against Spurs]. I think I showed the situation to improve in the future."
Ahead of the first game of the Premier League weekend - as Chelsea take on Guardiola's Manchester City at 12.30pm - Conte claimed he is expecting a real battle.
He said: "I think tomorrow is a really tough game. A great test for us, our formation, to continue this way. It wont't be easy.
"I've never faced Pep. I have great respect for him because Pep likes to study football and find a solution, idea.
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"Guardiola found a good situation in Man City. The directors worked with him before and he can get his ideas across quickly."
Conte also had a bit of fun at Guardiola's expense when asked how he fared as a player compared to the Spaniard.
He quipped: "[Pep was] a fantastic midfielder. We had different characteristic.
"I think I ran more than him but he thought more with the ball!"
One of the major talking points ahead the game will be the 'Battle of the Belgians' as Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne - two of the league's in-form forwards - go head-to-head.
And Conte claimed it is a shame he doesn't have City star De Bruyne at his disposal, after the Blues sold him back in 2014 after just three Premier League appearances.
The Italian simply said: "De Bruyne played at Chelsea and I think he's a really great player. It's a pity now he's playing for another team."