Chelsea press conference live: Antonio Conte reveals sadness at friend Claudio Ranieri’s departure from Leicester
- Chelsea are currently eight points clear at the top of the table
- Antonio Conte's men face relegation battlers Swansea on Saturday
- Read the latest updates from Antonio Conte's press conference Cobham
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has revealed his sadness at Claudio Ranieri's sacking by Leicester, hinting at his surprise given the Foxes' title triumph just nine months ago.
The two Italians are great friends, and at today's press conference ahead of Chelsea's home game against Swansea, he said: "I am very sad because it is our job and I am disappointed for him.
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"He is a friend, a really good man, a really good manager and he won the title only months ago. He reached a dream to win the title and as a coach I am sad.
"I understand his frustration and the situation but I will call him, which is natural after this – to talk and to show my disappointment for this decision as I think it is very strong.”
After Ranieri's departure, the last two title winning bosses have both left the following year - with Jose Mourinho departing Chelsea in late 2015 - and Conte joked he could be next.
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He said: "It is important to finish he season in the right way, but I am ready to face this risk next season. I am focused as are the players about this. There are 13 games and we want to stay top.
"It won’t be easy but I am ready to take this risk, it is mean we will have won the league!"
Chelsea are currently eight points clear at the top of the table and face the struggling Swans on Saturday - but the Welsh side are turning things around under ex-Blues coach Paul Clement.
Conte said: "He has reinforced the team and we must pay attention tomorrow. If you saw the game against Liverpool or Manchester City, you will understand.
"But I will understand the players understand this and face them in the right way. But for sure Paul has done a great job since coming in. We must pay great attention tomorrow."
Luckily for Conte, he has a completely fit and healthy squad against Swansea, who have striker Fernando Llorente up front - a player the Italian managed at Juventus and knows well.
You can read the key points from the press conference below...