Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has told his players to play for the badge - if they can't play for him.

Chelsea battled to defeat Southampton 2-3 at St Mary's on Saturday.

Conte said: “I was a player, and the players must play every game, and not for me, but for the club, and for the fans.

“They must have great respect for this badge, they don't have to play for the coach.

“They have to play for the club, our fans, and to show great ­character like today. This is the best possible way for a player to be a fantastic ­professional player.

“Especially in this type of ­situation, when there is great ­difficulty, you must show yourself first to be a man and then a player. They did this in the second half."