Cape Town - Chelsea manager Antonio Conte did
not want to talk about what he insists are false reports of his
impending departure from Stamford Bridge.
The Italian has already given up
hopes of catching runaway league leaders Manchester City, but claims that he’s
in London for the long haul despite reportedly wanting to return to Italy.
"Every day there is
speculation about my future," Conte told reporters. "It's not right
because I think I deserve a bit of respect for what I did last season, for what
I am doing this season.
"To read every week: 'Next
season the club contacts this coach or this coach' - for me this is not a
problem, but it can create problems with the players because the players
believe we could [drift] apart.
"I have another year on my
contract, so in this moment my focus is total, to improve my players, to try to
improve the team, to try to improve the club.
"If you understand football,
there is a moment you must have great patience, to know that someone is working
very well.
"I think last season we did
a fantastic job but this job is continuing this season. We are trying to change
the average age of our team.
"I think for a club like
Chelsea it is very important to start to do this, if you want to create a new
base and face the future with confidence."
The Blues have a midweek fixture
coming up on Wednesday when they will host Bournemouth in the League Cup.