Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte has refused to comment on reports linking Stoke City forward Peter Crouch to Stamford Bridge in order to 'respect' his players.

On Thursday night, it was suggested that the Blues had shown an interest in signing Crouch during the January transfer window, with Conte seemingly keen to bring in a target man before the end of the month.

However, with Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi both struggling for form, and Batshuayi being linked with a move away from the West Londoners, Conte has insisted that he is "not interested" in discussing a potential transfer.

At a press conference, the 48-year-old said: "My answer is the same. I am not interested in this conversation.

"To be respectful for my players and other players of other clubs. This is period is a transfer market, if something happens you are the first media to know the news."

Crouch recently penned a new deal with the Potters, but has links with Chelsea due to his father supporting the Blues.