Mauricio Pochettino: Antonio Conte now knows what it's like to fight on multiple fronts

The Argentine also said English clubs were at a disadvantage compared to their continental rivals due to the 'unbelievable' number of games they face over the next two months

'Of course, now he's feeling the same as we felt last season when you are a contender and competing in Europe' (Getty)

Mauricio Pochettino says Antonio Conte is now facing the challenge most of his managerial rivals did during last season, with the Italian facing battle on numerous fronts.

Chelsea did not have any European football throughout the 2016-17 campaign, and duly went on to win the Premier League.

Chelsea have so far struggled to match the same form as this time last year though - when they enjoyed an impressed 13-game winning run – having seen their resources spread across the demands of domestic and European football.

And despite their rivalry, Pochettino was generally in agreement with his Italian counterpart that English football is at a disadvantage compared to continental clubs in that they face an “unbelievable” number of games over the next two months.

“Of course, now he's feeling the same as we felt last season when you are a contender and competing in Europe - the Champions League and Europa League are the same, always it's complicated,” Pochettino said of Conte, when the Italian’s recent comments about fixture congestion were put to him.

“I think if you take the Europa League like Arsenal when you're always rotating the team and playing with a different team in the Premier League then maybe you can arrive fresh and be a contender in the Premier League.

“If you want to win the Europa League and the Premier League or the Champions League and the Premier League, you need to be right how you rotate and manage your squad.”

When asked whether English clubs could do with help as regards the schedule, he said: “Yes, of course”.

“We have ahead a very busy schedule. We suffer more, the English teams than those from another country. Now all the Spanish, German, Italian teams look forward to arriving in the Christmas period to rest and spend time with their family. Some people move to better weather to get good energy.

“But for us it's unbelievable the games we're going to play. Of course the effect is not the same as when you are resting and you breathe. Not like these other teams who will compete with you again in February or March, but okay, we need to be happy to try to enjoy that period and try to find the way to arrive fresh when the competition [is] like Manchester United, and be fresh to compete with this type of players in this type of competition.”

Pochettino admitted it could end up possible that Spurs prioritise the Champions League over the Premier League, depending on how the title race goes.

“Yes, we'll see. We need to arrive in this period and after decide, but today you cannot take any decision because it's so early to start to talk in which way you prioritise in which you go further than another.”