The Blues secured a 22nd victory from 28 top-flight matches this term with a narrow win over Stoke City on Saturday, which ensured we would go into the international break with nothing less than a 10-point lead. It required an 87th-minute goal from Gary Cahill to secure the victory and it was the first time since August we needed to wait so long to clinch a win, when Diego Costa scored in the final minutes of our matches against West Ham United and Watford.

'This must be Chelsea's mentality,' insisted Conte. 'It is a great team and we must play always to win. In this game we showed from the start until the end the will to win the game, not to come here for only one point.

'I think when you want to win the league, it's important not to drop points when you play against teams that are medium or at the bottom. It's important to keep a continuity in the results. This is a winning mentality.

'This win is really important and I wanted to share my joy with my players and our fans after a very tough game. My players are understanding my idea of football and they are adapting to my system, my philosophy of football. For sure I think we are building something important.

'I have to thank all my players because they are working hard and they trust in our football, our idea. They are showing me in every game a great commitment, a great will to fight and to show we can win the league. But I think you can improve everything and for sure we must improve.

'We have to take 21 points to take the title, otherwise we risk to lose. We have to think positively and take it game by game.

'Now there is an international break and a bit of rest for some of the players, and then we come back to Cobham and it's important to be focused because we have two games at home against Crystal Palace and Manchester City.'

One of the players who is heading off to meet up with his national team is Cahill, who has now found the back of the net six times this season.

'Gary can play also as a centre-forward,' joked the manager. 'He has good quality, acrobatic qualities, and he's very good, very strong during the corners and set-pieces.

'I'm pleased for him because we conceded a penalty after the referee saw a little push by Gary and then he found the solution to score the second goal to win.'