Antonio Conte has conceded that Chelsea’s lack of Champions League football is an advantage for them this season but intends to be back in Europe next year.
Following a below par campaign last term Chelsea, along with title rivals Liverpool, are without a place at Europe’s top table this year but it is proving useful this season.
Speaking ahead of the Tottenham clash this Saturday, Conte has admitted it is convenient to be on the training ground working with his players given the short amount of time he has been in charge at Stamford Bridge.
He said: “For sure for me it’s important to have more days to work because I’m working with these players only for four months and when you arrive and you have your idea of football.
“You have to embed a new philosophy it’s important to have the possibility to work and I think this can be an advantage to have more days.
"But for sure I prefer to play Champions League as do the players.”
Chelsea have utilised several systems this season in search of the right balance, but Conte now appears settled with his players.
He has started the same team for five game in a row and the Blues continuity has been key in their return to form.
But Conte says there is still plenty of room for improvement as he looks to guide Chelsea to the title in his first attempt.
He added: “After this change in our system for sure we found more balance defensively and offensively for this reason it’s important to continue working in this way I see the players very happy to play this way
“But it’s important to continue working to improve because when you play with a system you have to work day by day to improving it.”
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