Conte ‘not interested’ in reports Sarri has been lined up by Chelsea

Antonio Conte has insisted he is unfazed by reports Chelsea have lined up Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri to take over at Stamford Bridge.

Sarri is the latest manager to be touted as a possible replacement for Conte amid reports he will be axed as Blues boss this summer.

Asked about reports a successor has been earmarked, Conte, whose contract runs until 2019, said: “This is not my job to answer this type of question.

“My job is to work with these players to try to finish the season as strongly as possible.

“There is always speculation around our position – not only for me but for a lot of coaches. This is our job.

“For me the most important thing is to be focused on Chelsea, to try to improve this season to finish in the best possible way with my players.”

Asked if he is curious about where reports he faces the axe come from, Conte replied: “No. Honestly, I am not curious. Also because I don’t read the papers.

“Honestly, I am not interested in this. My only worry is to do my work with my players in the best way possible.”

Speaking at a media conference on Friday afternoon, Conte also responded to reports Danny Drinkwater could seek a move away from Chelsea.

Conte said he believes Drinkwater is “having an unlucky season” largely because of the midfielder’s injury problems since arriving from Leicester.