Conte: ‘This season has still been a special one’ for Chelsea

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists that disappointment in the FA Cup final must not detract from his side’s ‘incredible’ season.

The Blues bounced back from their nightmare 2015-16 campaign to win the Premier League title, although their efforts to claim a double came a cropper at Wembley on Saturday afternoon as Conte’s troops were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in one of the season’s showpiece events.

Stamford Bridge boss Conte must now turn his attentions to preparing to reacquaint his side with the Champions League next term but is adamant that Chelsea’s achievements must not be understated.

“I think that now, the most important thing is to give a correct valuation in our season because the season was incredible for us,” said Conte.

“Every single player performed at 120, 130 per cent – every single game.

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

“It’s very important to understand this and to understand that the season, for us, was incredible.

“Every single player put all of themselves in the work. They worked very hard.

“Next season, for sure, we must understand that we have to improve.

“We have to improve the number[s] in the squad and also the quality.

“It’s very important, this, because we have to be cold to analyse the season and understand that this season, we did something great with the players.”