Last updated on .From the section Chelsea

Antonio Conte's deal at Chelsea is due to run until the summer of 2019

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte admits that he is "a bit of a disaster" when it comes to convincing the club's board to sign new players.

The Premier League champions failed to make any big signings in the January transfer window.

And the 48-year-old Italian says he needs to be more persuasive.

"I have to speak more with the managers who are very, very good at persuading their clubs to spend money to buy top players," he said.

"I think I'm a bit of a disaster to convince the club to buy players. I think in this aspect I can improve a lot.

"I have to learn a lot from the other coaches, the other managers, in that aspect."

Conte said in January that he was "happy" at Chelsea, playing down reports that his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich had become strained.

Abramovich was reportedly angry that the Italian had said he did not choose the club's signings this season.

Chelsea are facing a fight to qualify for next season's Champions League after winning one of their past five Premier League matches.

They go into Monday's game against West Brom in fifth place, two points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and 22 adrift of leaders Manchester City.

Striker Alexis Sanchez and defender Virgil van Dijk were both linked with the club recently before going to Manchester United and Liverpool respectively.

But Conte said he can still get the best out of his squad.

"My task is to try and improve every single player, in every aspect - in terms of their mentality also. For this, I'm very good," he said.

'Conte deserves patience' - analysis

Former Chelsea striker Gianfranco Zola on BBC Radio 5 live

I believe that Antonio deserves patience for what he has done during his spell in England so far, but it's difficult for every manager; you are responsible for everyone and I think everyone has to realise how difficult and how competitive it is in this league.

Last year, both Manchester City and Manchester United didn't perform very well. I knew they were going to come back stronger. Because of that, I knew the challenge that Chelsea had to face would be bigger this season.

But what I love about this team is that they always have a good reaction in tough moments, and I am looking forward to this happening very soon.