Antonio Conte will reject the chance to meet with the Italian Football Federation to discuss the vacant managerial position with the Azzurri and says he is intent upon seeing out his contract at Chelsea, thrusting the onus on the club to sack him if change is desired in the summer.
The Premier League champions could start Monday’s game at Watford 21 points behind the leaders, Manchester City, with their place in the top four under increasing pressure from Tottenham Hotspur. January’s stodgy league form culminated in an emphatic midweek loss to Bournemouth and, with the head coach’s relationship with the board strained over transfer dealings, the Italian FA had publicly expressed its intention to speak with the 48-year-old over a possible return to the national setup.
Its vice-commissioner, Alessandro Costacurta, has confirmed an intention to visit Conte and Carlo Ancelotti in London for talks as Italy, who failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup, seek a successor to Gian Piero Ventura. The body’s new commissioner, Roberto Fabbricini, has suggested publicly that Conte is “eager” to return to the fold.
Conte said: “I can tell [you] that Costacurta is a friend. We played together with the national team in the World Cup in 1994. But maybe he forgot that I still have 18 months of contract with Chelsea. My intention, my will, my desire is to respect this contract. So no, I must be honest, no [plans to speak with him].
“From the start of this season there have been a lot of speculation and rumours around me. The only thing I can tell you is I still have 18 months of contract with Chelsea and my desire is to stay here, continue my work. This is my will. I don’t see problems about this. We signed a three-year contract, and our desire is to continue and to respect the contract.
“But from the start of the season, after our defeat against Burnley, there was a lot of speculation about me being sacked. I’m not interested in this. My only desire is to work and try and do my best for this team. We know very well the difficulty we are in and may have in the future. But we must be prepared.”
Conte will again be without the injured Álvaro Morata at Watford as the Spaniard continues his rehabilitation from a back complaint, and the champions’ £18m signing from Arsenal, Olivier Giroud, may begin on the bench. The France forward had been suffering from hamstring issues before a cameo final appearance for Arsenal on Tuesday, and Conte and his medical staff will monitor the player’s fitness over the weekend.
“We are starting to work with Olivier and we have to check his physical condition but, for sure, it won’t be easy to see him in the starting XI on Monday,” said Conte, who has welcomed David Luiz back to full training. “Olivier is coming back from a muscular injury but don’t forget that maybe Willian will be available.
“About Giroud, we’re talking about an international player with a lot of experience. A player who plays for the national team. He is 31 years old. We are not talking about a young player. For this reason, our expectation is for him to help us. Also because I asked for this type of player, with this characteristics, from my club. And the club gave me this opportunity with Giroud.”
