Conte will ignore Inter overtures to sign new contract
ANTONIO CONTE has intimated his desire to stay at Chelsea, who the Italian believes can get even better after their Premier League title triumph.
Michy Batshuayi’s goal eight minutes from time earned Conte’s side a 1- 0 win at West Brom and ensured they clinched the trophy at the earliest opportunity.
The Double could follow if Chelsea can beat Arsenal in the FA Cup final on May 27.
And Conte can expect to be rewarded for a successful season with a new contract offer 12 months into the three- year deal he signed on joining last summer.
The former Juventus and Italy boss has so far been equivocal over his future, with Inter Milan making overtures.
But the 47-year-old suggested after the title success at The Hawthorns that he wanted to build on the rejuvenation he has led this season.
He said: “We started to do our work. We have to improve in the next season, to find the right solution to improve.
“We have been working for only nine months together. I think if you can continue with these players, you can improve a lot.
“Now they know my ideas, I know them, the characteristics of my players. And we can improve.”
Conte wants to keep his best men and strengthen his squad ahead of next season’s Champions League return, but there is fervent speculation over the future of striker Diego Costa, in particular.
The Italian said: “The club want to fight to win every competition. We have the same ambition. For this reason, we try to keep the best players.”
Conte kept his composure during a huddle with journalists as Costa lurked menacingly, threatening to put a dampener on celebrations by
jokingly brandishing a fire extinguisher.
The Italian had already been drenched by champagne, iced water and beer in the dressing room, forcing a change of clothes, before his post- match media conference was brought to an abrupt halt by Costa and David Luiz.
The pair then impatiently waited, with club captain John Terry standing guard to make sure nothing untoward happened, as Conte fulfilled the further media commitment.
Luiz monitored the time taken for questions and Costa held the fire extinguisher aloft in the direction of journalists.
The pair were attempting to speed up proceedings to resume celebrations with the head coach who had steered Chelsea to a second title in three years after last season’s 10th-placed finish.
Conte has won the last four domestic championships in which he has managed, having claimed three in a row with Juventus prior to being Italy boss.
Conte’s focus has already moved on to the next target. Chelsea conclude the Premier League season with home matches against mid- table Watford and relegated Sunderland before the FA Cup final.
When it was put to him that Chelsea could have two weeks off to prepare for the Wembley date with Arsenal, Luiz interjected.
The Brazil defender said: “Rest? Rest for you. We train every day.”
Conte, laughing, added: “They know we have to work during the training session to prepare in the right way these two games.
“When you work hard it’s important to celebrate and then to prepare in the right way for the FA Cup final.