The Italian also discussed the qualities each player in his squad must possess in order to force their way into consideration for a place in the side.

‘The most important thing in the training session is to always show great commitment and desire to fight for a chance to play. Every single player must have this desire and will to learn, improve and put yourself in contention. That’s the best way for every single player, to improve himself and show me a great desire.

‘For sure, when you have 16 or 17 seniors players, if everyone shows you great commitment you have to make a decision because you can only play with 11.’

Tonight’s game means an already packed schedule becomes even tighter, and Conte explained how the build-up of fixtures has affected his own role.

‘Last season it was my first season but we didn’t play in the Champions League and in the Carabao Cup we were out after the second game,’ the Blues boss explained.

‘This season we are in the Champions League, through to the semi-final of the Carabao Cup and we are playing in the FA Cup, so not only is it a busy period for the players, maybe more for me because I have to prepare for each game in only three days.

‘Those who know me know I prepare the game, not just to pick the 11, but from a tactical aspect. I’m working a lot in this period but that’s my job and we must be happy because it means we are in four competitions. It's not enough to work only here [at Cobham]. I continue to work at my house, to watch videos.’

He went on to discuss why, in terms of importance, creating a successful side far outweighs the needs of individual players.

‘Every manager I had in my career when I was a player, the first thing they taught me was that it’s not important to make players happy,’ he said. ‘The most important things are to win, to be honest and loyalty. If you are this way, nobody can say anything to you.

‘Maybe in the first moment someone can be angry but after they reflect they realise you are honest and every choice is for the team. Not because you have more sympathy for one player. I learnt that from [Marcello] Lippi, [Giovanni] Trapattoni, [Arrigo] Sacchi, many coaches I had in my past.’