CONTE IS SETTLING RIGHT IN

Ant’s home comforts

ANTONIO CONTE has given Chelsea fans a massive boost by revealing he finally feels at home.

Conte, who this week was linked with a return as Italy manager, confessed he had found it tough in his first season as he was lonely and hardly ever went out.

He also admitted he thought about taking a break from football due to the pressures of managing at the highest level.

But Conte has now moved out of his flat and bought a house in Cobham near the club’s Surrey training ground.

He’s been joined by wife Elisabetta and daughter Vittoria, who goes to school in the area.

Conte, whose champions are at rock-bottom Crystal Palace today, said: “For me to have my family with me is very important.

“Last season, honestly, I suffered a lot because when you arrive in a new country and you are alone, and know that your family don’t stay here, it is not simple.

“This season I am very happy because they are with me, my daughter and wife, and for us it is a fantastic experience.

“This experience for my daughter is an incredible experience and a great gift that I am giving her.”

Conte is also exploring the local area adding: “This season I am driving. Last season was difficult because when you are alone, there was only the work.

“Now there is my job and when I go to my house with my daughter and wife, we try also to take the car and visit this area and sometimes go to London, Kingston, or to discover new restaurants.

“Yesterday with goalkeeping coach Carlo Cudicini we went to a Brazilian restaurant.

“Last season after training I’d prefer to stay at home or take a taxi to go to a restaurant.”

Conte has a midfield crisis with N’Golo Kante looking certain to miss the seven games between now and the Manchester United clash on November 5 due to a hamstring injury.

Danny Drinkwater is still out with a calf injury so Conte said he may have to call on rookies Kyle Scott and Ethan Ampadu as cover.