Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has aimed a dig at manager Antonio Conte after failing to earn the trust of the Italian. The 22-year-old enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with Crystal Palace which has earned him a spot in the England World Cup squad but his return with Chelsea nevertheless remains uncertain beyond the summer.

Speaking to reporters, Loftus-Cheek admitted that he was surprised at the lack of faith from Antonio Conte, given he has earned praise under Roy Hodgson and Gareth Southgate with Palace and England respectively, he said: “It's been so difficult to go from playing every game then get to the seniors and not be given a chance. It's really difficult mentally, there's only so long you just enjoy training with top players.

Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has suggested that Eden Hazard remains the best player in the Premier League despite the goalscoring exploits of Mohamed Salah this campaign. The Belgium international has contributed 16 goals and 10 assists this term and he could play a defining role when they the Blues contest United in the FA Cup final this weekend.

Speaking on The Big Interview with Graham Hunter, Herrera admitted that Hazard is still the best outfield player in the top-flight and he has not changed his opinion since arriving at Old Trafford, he said: “For me, Hazard is the best player in the league. In my opinion he’s the best player in the league, I’ve said that since my first day here.”

Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is keen to sort out his contractual situation at Chelsea prior to this summer’s World Cup finals in Russia. The 26-year-old’s future has come into question over the past few months amid continuous links with Real Madrid, but the shot-stopper remains adamant that he will stay at Stamford Bridge, whether or not, he pens a new deal beyond the 2018/19 season.

Speaking to Sporza, he said: “If I go to the World Cup with a clear idea, sign or wait another year, then I have a clear head at the tournament. I am still proud to play at Chelsea and I want to achieve success. I have one year [left on my] contract and feel good at Chelsea, at the end of the season we will sit down together and set out a vision. I know that I will be at Chelsea next year as well.”

Chelsea and Manchester United will go head-to-head this Saturday in this season’s FA Cup Final showpiece at Wembley. Both sides are yet to claim any silverware this season, so both will be keen to lift the trophy on Saturday evening and avoid a barren season. With no love lost between the two managers, we can expect a fiery encounter. Not sure who’s going to claim the win? Below we take a look ahead to the weekend’s game:

What do the odds say?
Bookmakers are generally pricing Manchester United as the favourites for this game. Both sides are available at just above over Evens to win, Chelsea being priced at 19/10 and United around 6/4. It would appear that most are predicting a tight game, but with United ultimately fancied to lift the famous cup for a joint-record 13th time.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte continues to have a war of words with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, and he recently clarified the grumblings between the two. Mourinho has been at loggerheads with Conte ever since suffering a 4-0 loss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, which used to be his former stomping ground. At the end of the game, Mourinho exchanged words with Conte, who seemed to celebrate rather extravagantly – although this has been his character throughout his managerial career. Conte’s celebrations have made him a hero at Chelsea and the Italian’s passion has never been questioned.

Mourinho has recently suggested that he would not to act like a ‘clown’ in the technical area while also referring to Conte’s four-month suspension for not reporting a match fixing scandal in Italy. Even though Conte was cleared of the same a few months later, Mourinho refused to acknowledge the verdict.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has stressed that the Blues did not have the luck on their side as they succumbed to a 4-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the round of 16 of the Champions League. The tie was equally poised after a 1-1 stalemate at Stamford Bridge, but the Blaugrana were more clinical in front of goal at the Camp Nou as they secured a comfortable 3-0 win in the end.

Speaking to Sport Mediaset, Conte admitted that the result in the second-leg was probably unfair with the Blues having dominated the proceedings in the midfield, only to find themselves short of an outlet in the final third. He said: “Luck appears to have turned its back on us this season, even though I don't like to pin everything on misfortune. But I do think tonight's result was unfair. They were good and clinical, but Barcelona have players who are used to these games.”