The Blues boss was speaking to members of the media at the Singapore American School, our training base for the past week, and with only two matches left to play before the defence of our Premier League title begins at home to Burnley, he explained why he would like to see the Spanish striker lead the line from the start of the game tomorrow.

‘Yes, I think it could be a good option to see Morata from the start,’ said Conte. ‘It’s the last game before the match against Arsenal so for me, it’s very important to find a good fit as soon as possible. For this reason we will play with the best starting 11.

‘I’m pleased with the pre-season because I’ve seen the right commitment from my players. They are working very well and it’s a pleasure for me to see this.’

Eden Hazard and another of our new signings, French midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, have remained in the UK as they recover from injuries, and Conte explained why he wants to ensure both players are in the best possible condition before they return.

‘It’s difficult to say because when you arrive from a bad injury, after surgery, it’s not easy to programme an exact date to come back,’ he responded, when asked about when they could potentially be back involved with the squad.

‘They are recovering very well and everybody knows the importance of these players for us. Every single player must be in the best form to play, otherwise we risk putting the player in a bad position and then to have damage for the team.’

With Bakayoko having only just signed from the club from Monaco, and not yet been able to train with his new team-mates, Conte would obviously like to have the opportunity to work with the 22-year-old as soon as possible.

‘It's very important to have the players work with me and understand my idea of football,’ said the Italian. ‘Bakayoko, for example, doesn’t know anything about my idea of football and he will need a bit of time to adapt and understand. This is the great difficulty for a coach who has an idea of football and wants to give the team an identity. It’s the same now for Morata and Rudiger. If the player arrives as soon as possible it’s easier for me.’

Against Arsenal, in Beijing last Saturday, and in the game with Bayern Munich in Singapore on Tuesday, Conte was able to give some of the younger members of the travelling party the opportunity to test themselves against strong opposition, and he has been pleased with the way in which they have conducted themselves both on and off the pitch during the trip.

‘Around young players there is always a great debate but in this pre-season I think every young player’s attitude was very good,’ he said. ‘But when we go back to Cobham I have to take the right decision to see what is best for the team, the club and the young player.

‘I don’t think it’s changed in football. It’s always the same. Young players have had the same difficulty in the past. I can tell you one thing: if a young player is good enough, strong enough and ready, then why not? I played my first game at 16 in Italy, but I played with Lecce and we were fighting to avoid relegation, I wasn’t playing for Juventus and fighting to win the title.’