Former Manchester United captain Paul Ince has rapped Antonio Conte for criticising Chelsea's transfer policy.

Ince insists the Italian manager has no excuses given the amount he has spent in the transfer market.

Ince told PaddyPower: “Conte has made it clear that he's not happy with the club's transfer dealings this season.

“But I'm afraid that's just the way it is – the top players are always going to go to top clubs. Why would they go to Chelsea over United or City?

“Besides, the club backed him in the summer with £58million on Alvaro Morata, who has been hit and miss, and hardly a successful signing.

“Plus Chelsea have spent more than £200m on new players this season, adding to a title-winning squad.

“Most managers in the league would love to be in that position – Conte is just making excuses.

“The arguments Conte is having with the board, essentially telling them to sack him if they aren't happy with the job he's doing, will have a detrimental effect on the players – whether he's right or not.

“When you join Chelsea, you know exactly what you're letting yourself in for, in terms of the owner and his team – it's ruthless.

“Conte won't like this, but he needs to take a leaf out of [Jose] Mourinho's book and turn the focus of discussions back onto football.

“Concentrate on the games left this season and sort out any differences internally rather than in public. Because it's getting embarrassing."