Conte masterminded the epic weekend win over Tottenham that booked us a place in next May’s FA Cup final, and now turns his attention to securing the 15 points needed to guarantee us the Premier League title. He has put this season’s effort into context ahead of Southampton’s visit tonight.

‘We must be proud, the players and the club,’ he said. ‘It wasn’t easy to have this type of season, to reach the final of the FA Cup and to fight for the possibility to win the title until the end.

‘We reached this only through our work. Work, work, work. It’s very important for me and the players to understand in the future that without this work it’s very difficult to have this type of situation.

‘But we must know that now we have had a good season. It will remain a good season but we want it to become a fantastic season, and the only way of doing that is by trying to win.’

N’Golo Kante has been a big part in our success so far and he received recognition from his fellow players on Sunday when he was named the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. Conte cast his mind back to last summer.

‘N’Golo was our target. I was very pleased to reach this target in our transfer market. We spent this money in the right way.

‘Also, it’s important to understand that sometimes you can see players with great talent, who score goals - and these players are important - but if you trust in an idea of football, in the team, it’s important to have a squad with good balance, A squad with talent but also with people like N’Golo, who are very good, very strong at winning the ball, fighting and working so hard for the team.

‘When you build a team it’s important to have a mix of talent, of people who work so hard, and to try to improve and find the right mix.’

Conte also considered whether or not Kante could potentially be a captain in the future.

‘He’s a silent leader! N’Golo is young. He can improve in that aspect. When you arrive at a great team like Chelsea and it’s your first season, it’s very difficult to try to speak and lead, but I think he is a silent leader, a leader on the pitch with good example.

‘He’s not the type of player who likes to speak. He’s not like John [Terry] for personality! With years he can improve in this aspect, and this award this season brings him a lot of confidence in himself.’