EPL 2016/17: Antonio Conte responds to Chelsea's reported interest in Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez can't stop being in the limelight

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has responded to his side’s reported chase of Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has been linked with a move to Chelsea – amongst other clubs – given he’s yet to extend his contract with the North London club.

But Antonio Conte wasn’t going to let a transfer rumour derail his concentration from Chelsea’s immediate future in the Premier League.

Also Read: EPL 2016/17: New contracts for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil could finally win Arsenal a title, says David Seaman

When asked about Sanchez and the possibility of Chelsea signing him, Conte brushed it aside swiftly. "I don't think it is right to talk about other players and other teams,” he said.

"It is not right and we are totally focused on the next game. January and next season are very far away for us. It is important not to talk about other players because it is a lack of respect. We have four games before January. It's important to be focused on these games.

"January is far away for me. Now I'm pleased, very glad, with this squad and to work with these players. For this reason, I repeat: stay concentrated on this game, go game-by-game, and then we'll see."

The league leaders have been exquisite this season ever since losing out to Alexis Sanchez’s Arsenal – winning all their Premier League games including last week’s showdown against Pep Guardiola’s side at Manchester.

Also Read: EPL 2016/17: Roy Keane gives advice to Arsenal regarding contract situations of Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is convinced he’ll be able to tie down Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil to a new deal by the end of the current season but that isn’t going to stop the Chilean from being linked to a host of interested clubs.

And given the kind of season he’s having, several European giants are interested in prising him away from the North London club. Chelsea are just one of the many Premier League clubs looking to capitalise on his indecisiveness right now.

Chelsea interested in other players

Chelsea, however, are said to be on the lookout for reinforcements in the January transfer window. With the likes of Juan Cuadrado, Oscar, Cesc Fabregas and Lois Remy all set to leave the club in the winter, they’re going to need players if they’re to successfully challenge for the Premier League title.

Fiorentina's Milan Badelj, Inter Milan's Geoffrey Kondogbia and Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson are all reported targets for the Blues in the winter as Antonio Conte is said to be insistent on only buying players who have experience of playing in Italy – Gibson aside.

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Edited by Staff Editor