Photo: Reuters

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has come under intense pressure since the turn of the new year. Results this year hasn’t been encouraging, and reports claim the Chelsea board is unhappy with the Italian’s constant criticisms of the club’s transfer policy.

Asked to address the almost daily stories of fighting with the Chelsea board or his expected departure from Stamford Bridge, Conte said: “I can tell you that I continue to work very hard for this club, for the players, for our fans. I can tell you this.

“But I saw a bit the history of this club in the past and it was the same also for the other coaches, and I don’t see a difference between them and me, and other coaches that managed this situation.”

Roman Abramovich has sacked eight managers during his time as owner of Chelsea and Conte added that he isn’t afraid of the sack. He said: “If you look at the stats, you can see that in 14 years 10 managers were sacked by this club.

“The stats are this, but, at the same time, when you are sure about your work and that you are doing everything to improve this club and to work this way with the players, under this aspect I am very relaxed, calm, very relaxed and I don’t have this type of worry.”