Friday 14 October 2016 12:26, UK
Chelsea have told Sky Sports News HQ that reports suggesting Antonio Conte is set to leave the club are absolute nonsense.
Several leading bookmakers suspended betting on Conte leaving Stamford Bridge on Thursday, just three months after the Italian assumed his role as head coach.
However, SSNHQ understand Conte is preparing his Chelsea team as normal for the Premier League match against reigning champions Leicester on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD.
Conte, who is contracted to Chelsea until the summer of 2019, has endured a mixed start to life in England.
He won his opening three matches in charge of the Blues, but failed to secure a Premier League victory in September, notably suffering defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal.
Reports in several national newspapers claimed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich held late-night emergency talks with club directors following the 2-1 home defeat to Liverpool, with Conte said to be unhappy with their failure to sign the players he wanted during the summer.
Sky sources understand no meeting took place and that there were no late-night discussions concerning the club's summer recruitment drive.
Chelsea were the third highest spenders in the summer transfer window, with Conte splashing out £116m on the additions of Michy Batshuayi, N'Golo Kante, Marcos Alonso and David Luiz.
