Conte calls for Rom backing

job. I know this never happened in the past, so why should I hope for something different? For sure, I’d like to have a statement of support against this speculation.

“The challenge is that, in the past, this never happened.

“So it’s a big challenge to change the approach now. But, for sure, I’d be glad. You only need one person to speak to make this happen.”

His claim that Chelsea have never issued a vote of confidence is actually wrong.

In October 2015, the club released a statement saying Jose Mourinho “continues to have our full support”. Two months later he was axed.

Conte’s latest dig has put him on collision course again with Abramovich, who is already upset by Conte’s moaning about signings.

Conte refused to say whether he had spoken with the billionaire owner, who has sacked eight managers in his time at Stamford Bridge.

“About this topic, it’s better to keep secret,” he said.

Meanwhile, claims Conte has been working his squad too hard have resurfaced with £15m signing Ross Barkley now believed to be struggling with a hamstring injury.

If confirmed, the former Everton midfielder is the eighth player to have suffered the same injury this season.

But Conte blamed the limited size of his squad this season for having to overwork his men.