Antonio Conte edging closer to Chelsea exit?

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte could reportedly be dismissed from his head coach role if the Blues lose their Premier League game against Manchester United on Sunday evening.

The Italian head coach guided Chelsea to Premier League success last term following a forgettable 2015/16 campaign where they finished a lowly tenth in the standings.

However, things have not gone as planned in the current season, and the Blues are already nine points behind league leaders Manchester City, who are unbeaten to date.

According to The Times, Blues owner Roman Abramovich would seriously consider the future of Conte, should the club fail to secure a positive result versus Jose Mourinho's United.

Conte was at odds with the Blues' hierarchy in the summer after they failed to pursue some of his preferred transfer targets, and the 48-year-old is now under pressure to deliver at least a point this weekend to stay in charge.

Chelsea have lost just once in 15 previous meetings with United at Stamford Bridge, but their recent defensive performance versus AS Roma presents little confidence.

The Premier League holders suffered a disappointing 3-0 Champions League defeat to the Giallorossi in midweek, and the loss margin would have been wider, had Thibaut Courtois not showed up.