ANTONIO CONTE took a swipe at Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola’s spending yesterday.
And the Italian admitted lifting the title with Chelsea would be his greatest achievement as a boss.
The Blues can extend their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points tonight if they beat Southampton at Stamford Bridge.
And Conte claimed winning the title would top everything.
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He said: “Yes, for sure. For me, for the players, for the club.
“I think this season it’s very important to understand it’s not always about who spends more money who wins.
“Otherwise, this season the name of the team would not be Chelsea or Tottenham or Arsenal or Liverpool.
“I think to win the title now in England is a great achievement.
“It is a top achievement for the coach, players and the club.
“To do it in England these days is not easy. To win this league is difficult.
“I repeat, we must be proud of our work.”
The former Juventus and Italy coach has dragged Chelsea from crisis — after Mourinho’s failed second spell — to the brink of the Double in a stunning debut season in England.
Conte, 46, won a hat-trick of titles in Italy and guided his country to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals where they lost on penalties to Germany.
He is adamant Chelsea’s success proves it is not just money that brings glory.
Guardiola’s Manchester City forked out £175million last summer, while Mourinho’s United broke the world-record fee with an £89m swoop for Paul Pogba as they splashed £149m.
Chelsea, however, did top the £100m mark on four new buys.
Meanwhile, Conte looks increasingly likely to have to plan for next season without Diego Costa, who is stalling on a new contract offer.
SunSport understands agreement was reached on a fresh five-year deal for the Brazilian-born Spanish hitman six weeks ago.
Yet the contract — worth up to a staggering £65m — remains unsigned leaving Chelsea chiefs suspicious of the 18-goal striker’s intentions.
The Blues opened negotiations with Costa, 28, in February after he received an offer from the Chinese Super League worth £30m a year.
SunSport revealed then the star was unhappy that team-mates who he thought had contributed less this season earned more than him.
Chelsea responded by opening talks with the player’s agents offering to increase his weekly wage from £150,000 to £220,000.
However, despite believing the negotiations had been successfully concluded last month, Costa has yet to sign the paperwork.
Another mega offer from China is possible, but the transfer window does not open there until October.
It could also be the case that Costa wants to see what Chelsea offer Eden Hazard in his new contract before putting pen to paper.
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