Andrea Pirlo has warned Chelsea players that Antonio Conte is not a man to be messed with, amid reports the Italy managed is poised to take over at Stamford Bridge.





The Blues are said to have held talks with Conte in London on Thursday, with a three-year-deal said to be on the table.





Pirlo played under Conte for three years at Juventus, winning three straight league titles, and describes him as a "beast with two wives".





"I love the man, I have nothing but respect and admiration for him. I know if he takes a job, any job, it will have to be on his terms," said the New York City FC midfielder, as quoted by ​the Mirror .





"The players he wants to sign, those he wants to get rid of, the style he wants to play.





"If you sign him as your coach and then as the owner you want to start making ­decisions, he is not the coach for you.





"If you let him get on with things and do his methods, then you will have a team that plays attractive football and will, without doubt, be successful."

He added: "There is a beast in him. I have been in his dressing room at half-time when we have been winning, but he comes in and will be throwing full bottles of water around because of a mistake we made or because he feels we should be further ahead.





"His life is football. I know he is up until 3-4am in the morning, studying videos, looking at errors, ­studying the opposition of the next game. It is a good job Elisabetta is such an understanding wife, and if he takes the Chelsea job then she will have plenty of time to enjoy London, because he has two wives – Elisabetta and football.





"I even know he will turn on the bedroom lights in the middle of the night because he has thought of something he needs to write down – you will not find a more understanding woman than her."





In a 10-year managerial career, Conte experienced Serie B promotion with Bari and Siena, as well as the three titles in Turin, where he lifted five more, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup as a player.





"I have played under a lot of great managers." said Pirlo.





"But I can say that Conte is a genius. Like all men who possess genius, he is a little mad.

"The man can be a beast, a dressing room when he is angry is one of the most dangerous places you can be."

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