Antonio Conte criticises 'ridiculous' Ross Barkley talk but remains reserved on reasons behind transfer breakdown

The champions appeared poised to sign Barkley on deadline day but the move broke down, with conflicting reports as to why the England player opted to back out of the deal

Friday 08 September 2017 14:11 BST
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Antonio Conte in training ahead of his side's clash with Leicester this weekend
Antonio Conte in training ahead of his side's clash with Leicester this weekend

Antonio Conte described the stories that have emerged about the breakdown of Ross Barkley's transfer as 'ridiculous' but would not offer any more details on Chelsea's failure to sign the Everton midfielder.

Speaking for the first time since the end of a transfer window which saw Chelsea miss out on a number of targets, Conte said the club had done their best to sign the right players but added he would not know if his squad is deep enough until the end of the season.

The champions appeared poised to sign Barkley on deadline day but the move broke down, with conflicting reports as to why the England player opted to back out of the deal.

Asked what had happened, Conte said: "First of all, I want to tell you that I don't like to speak about players of other teams, it shows a lack of respect.

"About this issue, I think it's ridiculous what I read so I stop. It's ridiculous."

But when asked to explain what had happened, Conte would not say any more.

Conte will have new signings Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta available, as well as playmaker Eden Hazard who is yet to play for Chelsea this season, but came through two appearances for Belgium during the international break unscathed.

"I think he's improving a lot and he's worked very hard to be ready," Conte said of Hazard. "I think now I can count on him for sure. I have to decide when is the right moment and the right minutes for him but for sure he's available."

Conte said Hazard had played for Belgium with his blessing following conversations with national team boss Roberto Martinez.

But while Hazard returns, Chelsea remain without wantaway striker Diego Costa, who is yet to report back to the club for the new season.

The Spain international has been linked with a move to Fenerbahce - with the Turkish transfer window open until Friday night - but Conte did not indicate anything was imminent.

"There is no news about him," he said. "My focus is on English football, not Turkey."

Although Chelsea brought in Drinkwater and Zappacosta on deadline day, this was a transfer window which saw the club miss out on a string of targets, from Romelu Lukaku early in the summer through to Barkley in the final hours of the window.

Conte said there was no new updates on Costa's Chelsea future 

"I think the club tried to do its best in the transfer market," Conte said. "Sometimes you are able to buy players, and sometimes not for many reasons, but I think the club tried to do its best."

Asked if his squad was equipped to contend for silverware, he said: "This question is very difficult to answer. I think we have to wait until the end of the season and we'll see. For sure the club tried to do its best in this window.

"Now the window is closed and its time to continue to work with these players and I'm very happy to work with these players that we have."

PA

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