Antonio Conte has dismissed the theory that he is counting down to his Chelsea pay-off by claiming he is “angry” about the season and is struggling to sleep with his team on course to miss out on Champions League qualification.

Following the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur that has left Chelsea with a mountain to climb to finish in the top four of the Premier League, Conte’s former Juventus team-mate Gianluca Vialli said the Italian “cannot wait to leave” Stamford Bride.

Conte, though, revealed he has not spoken to Vialli since dining with him last year and insisted he is not hoping to be sacked – even though it could land him around £9million in compensation.

“Those who know me very well, they know me, they know that in this moment I am very angry,” said Conte. “I am very sad for this situation. Those who know me very well know I am trying to put all of myself to change this situation because I have great responsibility.

“I feel great responsibility for my work, for my family, for everything. I repeat, when I go to my house, it is not that I am relaxed but I know that I gave everything and I am giving everything for this club. 120 per cent every day, every day. Sometimes, it is very difficult to sleep with these types of problems.”