Antonio Conte to keep Chelsea transfer business 'secret' amid Alvaro Morata link

Antonio Conte refused to confirm reports of a Chelsea bid for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, saying he prefers to keep transfer business a secret.

The Chelsea head coach recorded his first win in charge of the Blues when his side beat RZ Pellets WAC 3-0 in Austria on Wednesday.

British newspapers have linked Conte with a move for Morata, who re-joined Real from Juventus earlier this month, as the Italian looks to bolster his squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

But, speaking after the victory over RZ Pellets WAC, he remained tight-lipped when asked about his interest in the Spain international.

"About this situation I always prefer to speak with the club," Conte said. "We know our targets and the most important thing is there is a great synergy between me and the club on the transfer market.

"It's not important to speak outside, but to keep the secret is very important at this moment."

Goals from Bertrand Traore, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Nathaniel Chalobah secured Conte's maiden win, four days after Chelsea slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna in his opening match.

The Italian praised his players' work rate but said he expects better performances as they build towards their first Premier League match against West Ham on August 15.

"I said to my players before the game, after a week of physical work and tactical work, I wanted to see an improvement in our idea of football," Conte said. "I think today I received a good answer.

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"I know we can improve - not that we can improve - I know we must improve. We will work very hard and I know these players have the attitude to do this.

"We are at the beginning of the season and we are working hard. Today I saw a lot of good things, but I also saw situations where we can improve; that's normal when we are in pre-season.

"It's important to win and to fight for our mentality despite many players being tired. I'm happy because I saw a good attitude and for me this is the most important thing."

Michy Batshuayi made his debut in the second half after joining for £33m from Marseille, and Conte believes the Belgium international can grow into a "very strong striker" for the club.

"Batshuayi is a young player and he has great potential," he added. "It's his third day of training sessions and today I wanted to see if in three days he understood some tactical aspects.

"He can improve a lot and he can become a very strong forward."

The Chelsea head coach also believes Loftus-Cheek, who has operated in a defensive and attacking midfield role for the club since breaking into the first team, could have a future higher up the pitch.

"Ruben, I see this player is young with great potential," Conte continued. "I like him a lot in the striker position. He has good technique, a good personality, he is good one v one, and it's normal that a young player can improve.

"Chalobah, [Ola] Aina can also improve and it's showing the academy is a good school and that's important for the club.

"If I can count on these players, it's a new source and in the future I want to see other young players like [Tammy] Abraham and [Dominic] Solanke. I'm very happy to help them become Chelsea first-team players."