Antonio Conte wants three "world class" players to win premiere league

Antonio Conte has demanded up to three "world class" players to turn Chelsea into title contenders next season.

The Blues boss has seen 11 new players including Olivier Giroud and Ross Barkley arrive at Stamford Bridge over the past two transfer windows but warned extra quality was needed to compete with Manchester City.

Chelsea trail the league leaders by 19 points and are certain to lose their grip of the Premier League following last season's success.

The Italian said Chelsea's priority this season was to secure Champions League but that "two or three" marquee signings next season could see the club mount another domestic challenge.

Conte said: “Now we must be realistic and understand what our level is.

“We have to struggle, to fight for a Champions League place. That is our top priority.

Whether Conte will still be at Stamford Bridge next season remains a moot point. If owner Roman Abramovich wants him out then the decision will be taken for him.

But Conte batted away links to the Italy job and asked why his future is under more ­scrutiny than his peers.

“I don’t understand why other coaches are not under pressure after a defeat in the way that you are doing with me,” he added.

When asked if Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger should get as much pressure, he said: “But after 20 years, not 18 months.

“Don’t forget, last season we won the league as underdogs.”

Conte still believes the ­pressure he is under is nothing compared to managing Italy.

He said: “The pressure during the World Cup or European Championship is incredible, especially if you are the coach of the country of your birth.

“You feel the whole country behind you. During the ­competition the pressure is enormous and much more than when you stay at a club.

“I took the decision to come back to club management ­before starting Euro 2016 with Italy because I felt the necessity to work with the ­players every day. Now I’m not looking so far forward. I’m very focused on the present.

“The present is Chelsea. I’m very happy. I took this choice and I want to respect this.

“We are doing an ­incredible job here.”