'Every day there is speculation' - Antonio Conte demands greater respect for Chelsea achievements

Antonio Conte insists he deserves greater respect for his achievements at Chelsea amid speculation over his future in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

Conte’s long-term status at Stamford Bridge has been a matter of much debate since he signed a new contract in the summer that significantly did not extend his commitment to Chelsea beyond the summer of 2019.

Despite claims that Conte could leave at the end of the season Chelsea have largely continued along the impressive trajectory that they set last term, when they cruised to the Premier League title in the Italian’s first season.

However the record-breaking form of Manchester City means Chelsea have been cruelly punished for their four defeats and sit 14 points off top spot and Conte insists his achievements this season and last have been discarded all too quickly.

“Every day there is speculation about my future,” he said. “It's not right because I think I deserve a bit of respect for what I did last season, for what I am doing this season.

“To read every week: ‘Next season the club contacts this coach or this coach’ – for me this is not a problem, but it can create problems with the players because the players believe we could [drift] apart.

“I have another year on my contract, so in this moment my focus is total, to improve my players, to try to improve the team, to try to improve the club. If you understand a bit [about] football there is a moment you must have great patience, to know that someone is working very well.”

Conte’s reign has also seen several of the brightest youngsters from the Chelsea youth setup integrated into the first team, with centre-back Andreas Christensen now a regular in the starting XI and 17-year-old Ethan Ampadu having made his Premier League debut.

Meanwhile senior figures such as John Terry, Nemanja Matic and Diego Costa have been allowed to depart and been replaced by younger players, meaning only two of Conte’s lineup in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Southampton were 30 or over.

“I think last season we did a fantastic job but this job is continuing this season,” Conte added. “We are trying to change the average age of our team.

“I think for a club like Chelsea it is very important to start to do this, if you want to create a new base and face the future with confidence.”