Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admitted he is "worried" by the prospect of missing out on next season's Uefa Champions League following his side's defeat to home to Bournemouth on Wednesday. Goals from Callum Wilson, Junior Stanislas, and former Chelsea player Nathan Ake saw the Premier League champions slump to a surprise defeat at Stamford Bridge. The result saw Chelsea drop from third to fourth in the Premier League table on goal difference, two points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur who closed the gap with an impressive win over Manchester United. It was only Chelsea's second defeat in nine matches, but comes amid mounting speculation surrounding Conte's future at the club, with widespread reports of a breakdown in the relationship between the Italian manager and executives at the club, including owner Roman Abramovich. <strong>________________________</strong> <strong>Read more:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/watch-pep-guardiola-calls-for-player-protection-again-after-man-city-defeat-west-brom-1.700747">Watch: Guardiola calls for player protection again after Man City defeat West Brom</a></strong> <strong>________________________</strong> However, Conte is more concerned about Chelsea's chances of retaining Champions League football for next season. "We must be worried," Conte said. "We have to struggle for a position in the Champions League. "We have to accept it's a bad result and understand that we have to fight this season, if someone didn't understand this they don't understand football. Football is not simple. "If we want only to dream, I can tell you now we can fight to win the title this season. But it is important to look at the reality and to know that, if we are able to reach a place in the Champions League, it will be a great success for us." Although Chelsea presented new signing Olivier Giroud before the game, Conte is reported to have been at odds with the club over the need to strengthen the squad in the transfer window. "They deserved to win the game. We tried to do something but it was very difficult for us, even in the first half when the score was 0-0, we struggled a lot," the Italian said. "(We struggled) for many reasons, but it's not important to speak about excuses, they deserve to win and we need to restart to work and to do our best."
