Antonio
Conte aims to take advantage of Chelsea's Champions League absence and
sharpen their Premier League title challenge this season.
Chelsea finished 10th last term, a campaign which cost Jose Mourinho his
position as manager in December before Guus Hiddink steadied the ship for
the second half of the season.
Conte has since been recruited as head coach, having guided Italy to the
quarter-finals of Euro 2016 following three consecutive Serie A titles with
Juventus.
"Not playing in the Champions League could be an opportunity because I will
be able to work more with my players," Conte told the Evening Standard.
"If you ask me if I prefer this situation, I don't because Chelsea must be
in this competition.
"You do feel like you're missing something when you're not involved in the
Champions League. It is a special competition and you want to play in it
every year.
"But because we are not, I will have a whole week to train with my players
and that gives me a chance to work with them more compared to Chelsea
managers in previous seasons."
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham on August
15, live on Sky Sports.
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