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Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has rubbished reports that Chelsea failed to sign Ross Barkley from Everton because he had his phone switched off.

“First of all, I want to tell you that I don’t like to speak about players of other teams because it is a lack of respect,” Conte said when asked about the rumours.

“But what I read about this issue was ridiculous. Ridiculous. I stop. It’s ridiculous. With this adjective, I tell you my thoughts of this news.”