Antonio Conte believes congested calendar is 'diluting the quality' of English football

Chelsea have faced a more packed calendar this season due to their progress in the EFL Cup and participation in the Champions League

Antonio Conte thinks the English game is focused on quantity over quality (AFP/Getty Images)

Antonio Conte believes the congested calendar is “diluting the quality” of English football but does not pin the blame on the vast sums of money poured into the sport by broadcasters.

Chelsea have faced a more packed calendar this season due to their progress in the EFL Cup and participation in the Champions League and while the Italian was reluctant to blame this for poorer results than their title-winning campaign, he did say there should be a greater care for protecting players.

“I think that we must prefer the quality, and not the quantity,” Conte said. “In this case, if we reduce the problem only for money, this is not good for the football. If the reason is only because I pay you, you have to play a lot of games, this is the only reason, then this is not right. You are diluting the quality. This is not right.”

When it was put to Conte that a shortening of the calendar could mean less broadcasting money, and less pay, he rejected this and pointed to examples of other countries.

“I don’t think so. If you go in Spain you earn a lot of money. If you are the coach of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid... If you go in Italy, it’s the same at Juventus, Milan, Inter. In Germany and you are the coach of Bayern Munich, you earn a lot of money. As a coach or a player. This is not the truth. Or if you play for Paris Saint-Germain, or in China, you earn a lot of money. It’s not true that England is the only country who pay a lot of money for the coach.

“As I said before, I think this can’t be a reason because you want to play so many games and put the risk, to risk an injury for the players. I think this is not a good reason, only because you pay money. I think this is not right. We have to try to protect the players and, this way, you are not protecting the players. In this way, you are preferring the quantity rather than the quality.”

Conte meanwhile revealed that the fixtures coming thick and fast – with Chelsea among a few clubs that have barely had a midweek free since September – has led to long hours watching matches at home.

“I think it’s not enough to work only here to prepare games every three days. I continue to work at my house, at my home. To continue to watch videos. It’s not enough to work only here. For sure, I spend time also when I stay at my house continuing to work.”