Antonio Conte has insisted that he will "respect the contract" awarded to him last year by remaining Chelsea manager for the next 18 months.

The 48-year-old is reportedly living on borrowed time at Stamford Bridge following a falling out with the Blues' hierarchy, which relates to a lack of transfer activity over the last two windows.

Chelsea have also struggled for form since the turn of the year, most recently going down 3-0 at home to Bournemouth, leading to rumours that Conte could even be on his way out before the summer comes around.

Speaking to reporters on Friday afternoon, however, the former Italy and Juventus boss insisted that he is happy to continue in his role, having penned an improved two-year deal in July.

"From the start of this season there have been a lot of speculation and rumours around me," he said. "The only thing I can tell you now is I still have 18 months of contract with Chelsea. My intention, my will, is to respect the contract.

"We signed a three-year contract. I think our desire is to continue our work. This season, the situation has always been the same, with a lot of pressure, and I don't understand why, always around me. Maybe it is because this is Chelsea. This is the only answer I'm having.

"But the pressure is normal. When the situation is too calm, you risk being relaxed and losing the anger, the fire. I like to live with this pressure.

"If we'd got three points against Bournemouth, we'd be in second place. But the situation doesn't change. We must understand that, this season, we have to fight a lot to find a place in the Champions League. I think it is a big challenge for us."

Italian Football Federation chiefs have placed Conte's name on their five-man shortlist to succeed Gian Piero Ventura as national team manager.