Chelsea: Ex-England boss Capello says Antonio Conte already preparing for Stamford Bridge

Former England manager Fabio Capello claims Antonio Conte is already preparing for life at Chelsea. Conte, 46, is now the heavy favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge as the club's new permanent manager in the summer when Guus Hiddink moves on.

The former Juventus manager and current Italy boss will be a free agent after this summer's European Championships in France and has already held positive discussions with the Premier League, according to the Guardian.

Gazzetta dello Sport also suggest Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will meet with Conte in Monaco in the coming days to finalise a three-year deal worth €6.5m (£5m, $7m) per season.

And Capello, who spent four years managing England, feels the Azzurri coach is already considering what needs to be done in west London.

"Conte is preparing for Chelsea," Capello told Fox Sports Italia, as reported by the Daily Mail. "He had the time to arrive and train Chelsea in the best way, as this is an important club. I think the most important thing will be the team he is able to put out on the field. He needs defenders and there aren't that many around.

"His communication with the players will also be fundamental. I myself had a difficult experience in Russia where I always had to speak through a translator. It was not easy, because the players always expect the extra word from the coach, the decisive statement to let you understand or change something."

While Chelsea appears to be looming for Conte, there is still the small matter of Italy's Euro 2016 campaign. And despite talk of imminent agreements over a summer move to Stamford Bridge, Italian football federation president Carlo Tavecchio insists Conte's focus remains on ensuring the Azzurri succeed in France this summer.

"For me, at the moment, Conte is with the national team and is working with desire, skill and sacrifice," he was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "We are taking the first steps to do well in the European Championship, but beyond that, only time will tell."