Conte’s legal team will argue that Chelsea have cost their client a year of his career

Antonio Conte is taking legal action against Chelsea, including the claim that he deserves to be compensated for loss of future earnings and the damage to his career caused by the club’s delay in sacking him.

The Italian is angry that Chelsea did not confirm his dismissal until last week — 55 days after he led them to victory in the FA Cup final — a delay that his lawyers will argue cost him the opportunity to gain employment elsewhere this summer.

Conte is demanding compensation on top of the £9 million salary that he is entitled to receive for the final year of his contract.

He had been resigned to leaving Chelsea since January as a result of the collapse in his relationship with