Chelsea
head coach Antonio Conte reiterated his commitment to the Premier League
champions after Sunday's 2-0 win over Everton.
The Italian belatedly signed an improved contract, but not an extension, in
July and there have been persistent murmurs of behind-the-scenes friction.
Conte has spoken of the need to add to his squad, but he is adamant he will
not walk out if Chelsea fall short of recruiting the players he wants before
Thursday's transfer deadline.
"I'm totally committed to the club," Conte said. "I'm a coach, I'm not a
manager. The best of my work is on the pitch, to try to improve my players,
to try to improve my team.
"Then when you want to strengthen your squad you have to give your opinion
and speak with your club.
"But then the club go to the transfer market and try to solve the situation,
try to help us. Sometimes it's possible, sometimes it's not possible. I must
be focused on the pitch."
One player Chelsea have been without so far is Eden Hazard following his
broken ankle.
Hazard was called up by Belgium for their games with Gibraltar and Greece
and Conte spoke both to him and to Red Devils boss Roberto Martinez on
Saturday.
"I spoke with the player and the player is happy to go and stay with the
national team. He's the captain," Conte added.
"But the most important thing is to continue to work very hard to improve,
then to have the possibility to bring him to the bench after the
international break and we can start to think he's a new player for Chelsea
this season."
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