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That seems like ages ago as the Premier League leaders head into Monday’s match with West Ham United at the Olympic Stadium.

Conte smiled when it was put to him that he could be at Chelsea for 10 to 15 years.

It is the absence of wife Elisabetta and daughter Vittoria, who have remained in Italy, which likely ignited the rumour mill of Conte being unsettled. “It must be our home, the Champions League”.

“There is respect, of course there is, and they deserve that for what they have done this season, Chelsea deserve more respect than any other team”. In the absence of Antonio, Carroll will have to be the main goal threat and Bilic must be hoping that he can be a good one on Monday.

There can be no such debate with Conte, though.

The Hammers beat Chelsea in the EFL Cup in October at the London Stadium in a match marred by crowd violence.

Conte believes his boys will be able to take three points in this one.

“But now, after seven months, I can tell I’m very happy of my experiences so far with Chelsea, to have this relationship with the club, with my players”.

“He’s a very young player with his ups and downs and he has to stay focussed and totally in his game and in football he can achieve great things”.

“In the future, also, I hope to sit and watch games live”.

The Italian boss went on to say:”Don’t forget, in this six teams, two won’t play in the Champions League next season”.

“I have a contract with Chelsea”. For me personally, for every player, for the team and for the club.

“We know there are six strong teams to fight for the Champions League places”, he said. Conte sees Lukaku as a like-for-like replacement for Costa. They know if they get the points they have a chance. Conte rigorously schooled him in the defensive side of the game.

“Sometimes you have to push him to do it day in, day out, and now he is doing it. We don’t want to start next season like we started this one”. Then, when I made a decision to change the system, I wanted to try him in this new role and to work with him on defensive situations.

“For me, this is great. Now we have a complete player, offensively and defensively”.

“I saw his potential quickly”. I’m pleased to be scoring more goals this season but I think there are still more I could get. He’s always available, up to now.

“I played there for five years, I arrived as a young boy and experienced so many nice moments with the club”.