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Antonio Conte will 'respect' Chelsea contract but wants backing in transfer market

Antonio Conte says he will respect his contract at Chelsea should the club decide to keep him but has suggested more money must be spent to mount a title challenge.

The Italian, who has one year remaining on his deal at Stamford Bridge, landed his second major trophy in as many years by beating Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup Final on Saturday, but questions remain over his future.

Having finished fifth the season after winning the Premier League, and having endured intense speculation regarding his future all season, Conte is widely expected to leave the club this summer.

However, should he stay, it seems the former Juventus and Italy head coach will demand a lot of money to spend in order to challenge for the top four and Premier League title again, suggesting fifth place was the most his squad could manage.

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

“I have decided to respect my contract,” Conte said.

“Our job is not simple and I understand that the club can make a positive decision or a negative decision, but I am the first to understand because I am the coach of a great, important club in England and the world and so the club demands of me, a lot.

“You have to understand if in this season we had the maximum, or not. Because there is also this possibility that with this group of players we did the maximum.

“But, I repeat, I have huge respect for my club and I am sure it will make the best decision.”