Ex-Chelsea Boss Claims Antonio Conte Doesn't 'Miss Home' as Italy Return Rumours Drag on

Claudio Ranieri has dismissed suggestions that Chelsea boss Antonio Conte will return to his native Italy at the end of this season.

The ex-Blues manager, who currently holds the position of head coach at Ligue 1 surprise package Nantes, was quoted on Gianluca Di Marzio's official site as he explained why his compatriot would stay with the Premier League champions beyond this term.

Conte has been linked with a move back to Italy with AC Milan and the senior men's national team after comments he made about someday wanting to head back home, but Ranieri stated that any imminent plans for Conte to do so were wide of the mark.

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He said: "Conte staying Premier League? It's still the top league and I am not convinced Conte misses home."

Part of the reasoning behind Conte's supposed desire to leave UK shores is his frustration over Chelsea's inability to land key transfer targets this summer.

The 48-year-old missed out on signing Romelu Lukaku, Alex Sandro and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to name but a few despite also managing to land some other new recruits.

Ranieri has first-hand experience of dealing with mounting expectations at Stamford Bridge due to his own tenure in west London, and was the man in charge of the club's first-team when Roman Abramovich took full control of the Blues back in June 2003.

The 65-year-old, though explained that Conte's hands were tied over his potential new arrivals due to Abramovich not splashing the cash like he has done in seasons gone by.

He continued: "Maybe he was expecting a different transfer window, but in the past few years Abramovic hasn't made any crazy purchases. 

"Manchester City and United however have made great acquisitions, so I can imagine that it's more stressing for Antonio to fight in several competitions with the same players."