Conte “wasn’t able” to keep Chelsea determined vs. Newcastle

Antonio Conte was answerless after Chelsea’s players gave little to no effort in Newcastle United’s 3-0 defeat of the Blues at St. James’ Park on Championship Sunday.

[ RECAP: Newcastle 3-0 Chelsea ]

The Blues needed a win to have any hope of finishing Top Four. Newcastle wanted to finish top half, but had much less on the line.

3-0.

“Our start wasn’t good,” said manager Antonio Conte. “We suffer because I think we lost every single ball and it wasn’t good. ... I wasn’t able to display the right determination to my players.”

What happened, man?

“I don’t know, but for sure Newcastle came out more determined than us. We didn’t lose a place in the Champions League over the last two games because the chances were zero. To finish this way is not good. It’s not good for the team, it’s not good for the players. It’s not good for the fans.”

Chelsea have an FA Cup Final next weekend against Manchester United, but Conte was asked if this was his final Premier League match in charge of the Blues.

“I have a contract and I am committed for this club,” he said after a long laugh.

This sounds like a man awaiting his buyout.

Follow @NicholasMendola