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means you don’t have a basis, a great foundation.

“We lost strong, experienced players in the last few years, so we must have patience to understand that. We have to be realistic, create a basis and then build something important to face big challenges with the other teams.”

Whether Conte will still be at Stamford Bridge next season remains a moot point. If owner Roman Abramovich wants him out then the decision will be taken for him.

But Conte batted away links to the Italy job and asked why his future is under more scrutiny than his peers.

“I don’t understand why other coaches are not under pressure after a defeat in the way that you are doing with me,” he added.

When asked if Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger should get as much pressure, he said: “But after 20 years, not 18 months.

“Don’t forget, last season we won the league as underdogs.”

Conte still believes the pressure he is under is nothing compared to managing Italy.

He said: “The pressure during the World Cup or European Championship is incredible, especially if you are the coach of the country of your birth.

“You feel the whole country behind you. During the competition the pressure is enormous and much more than when you stay at a club.

“I took the decision to come back to club management before starting Euro 2016 with Italy because I felt the necessity to work with the players every day. Now I’m not looking so far forward. I’m very focused on the present.

“The present is Chelsea. I’m very happy. I took this choice and I want to respect this.

“We are doing an incredible job here.”