Antonio Conte says he is ready to open talks with Chelsea about extending his stay at Stamford Bridge, but wants the board to release a statement backing him amid constant speculation over his future.

Despite leading Chelsea to the Premier League title in his first season in charge of the club, Conte's future has been regularly thrust in the spotlight, particularly, after he signed a new deal last summer which saw him get a significant pay rise but not agree to extending his tenure at the club past 2019.

Conte insisted on Friday that, despite reports that he could leave Chelsea this summer, he wants to see out the remainder of his contract at the club.

However, the Italian admitted the only way to stop constant speculation over his future would be for the Chelsea board to release a statement backing him - something rarely done by the club.

Chelsea did take the unusual step in October 2015 of releasing a public statement to insist then-manager Jose Mourinho had their full support amid the club's worst start to a season since 1979.

Yet, Chelsea still sacked the Portuguese coach two months later as the club hovered above the relegation zone.

However, Conte believes a similar such public backing of himself by the Chelsea board would help address the rumours surrounding his future at the club.

"I must be honest, when there are these type of rumours or speculation after the first game of the season against Burnley... Maybe I'd like the club to prepare a statement for me to say they trust me in my work and my job," he told reporters at Cobham.

"But, at the same time, I know this never happened in the past, so why should I hope for something different? But, for sure, I'd like to have a statement of support against this speculation.

"The challenge is that, in the past, this never happened. So it's a big challenge to change the approach now. But, for sure, I'd be glad. You only have one person to speak [to make this happen]."

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Conte also suggested that he and Chelsea did not agree to a contract extension last summer because both parties felt it would reduce the motivation needed to continue winning trophies this season.

However, the Italian admitted he would be happy to begin negotiations over a new deal - but only once the current season ends.

"We decided at the start of the season to take this decision [of a pay rise not a contract extension] because I think, in this way, we have the right fire to try and do our best. Me one side, the club on the other side.

"Then, I repeat, 18 months in front of us is not a short time. Not a short time. There is a good time to understand and then to continue."

When then asked whether he'd be open to discussing a new deal now, Conte replied: "But I think in this moment, I don't want to be opportunistic. I don't want to exploit... I don't want to be an opportunist. It's not the right time to be opportunistic.

"We have the time to make the best decision. I'm giving all of myself - me and my staff and my players, for this club. We are doing the maximum for this club.

"If the club understands this and the club wants to extend a new contract, we can talk. We can talk. Why not?

"But I repeat, I don't like to try to push with the press for a new contract. My contract expires in 2019. My desire and my will are to continue to work with this club."