Alexis Sánchez’s wages out of Chelsea’s league, says Antonio Conte

• Chelsea cannot match financial might of Manchester’s Big Two
• Conte: ‘We’ll have to make a success not with money but with work’

Chelsea and Arsenal will go head to head on Wednesday for a place in the Carabao Cup final with Antonio Conte admitting neither team can compete financially with the might of the two Manchester clubs.

The Premier League champions had never been in contention to sign Alexis Sánchez this month, despite declaring an interest last summer, after it became clear the forward’s wage demands – he is believed to command a basic salary of around £300,000 a week – and agent fees would be prohibitive. Manchester City drew the same conclusion, with Manchester United, who made the most money of any club in the world last year, finalising a deal on Monday.

Continue reading...