Monday 1 August 2016 15:49, UK
Antonio Conte aims to take advantage of Chelsea's Champions League absence and sharpen their Premier League title challenge this season.
Chelsea finished 10th last term, a campaign which cost Jose Mourinho his position as manager in December before Guus Hiddink steadied the ship for the second half of the season.
Conte has since been recruited as head coach, having guided Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 following three consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus.
"Not playing in the Champions League could be an opportunity because I will be able to work more with my players," Conte told the Evening Standard.
"If you ask me if I prefer this situation, I don't because Chelsea must be in this competition.
"You do feel like you're missing something when you're not involved in the Champions League. It is a special competition and you want to play in it every year.
"But because we are not, I will have a whole week to train with my players and that gives me a chance to work with them more compared to Chelsea managers in previous seasons."
Chelsea begin their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham on August 15, live on Sky Sports.
