Chelsea manager Antonio Conte expects Nemanja Matic to stay at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has no plans to sell Nemaja Matic despite the midfielder being linked with a move away from the club. The Italian manager has revealed he expects Matic to play a crucial role for Chelsea this season and has rubbished the suggestion he is unsettled at Stamford Bridge.

Matic has been linked with a big-money move to Italian champions Juventus. But according to Conte, the midfielder's immediate future is in West London.

"Nemanja is an important player for me," Conte said, according to Chesea's official Twitter account. "He knows this. There isn't a problem with him. Nemanja is a Chelsea player."

Meanwhile, Conte begins his career in the Premier League with a London derby against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. The new Chelsea boss admitted he is looking forward to the prospect of facing the Hammers on Monday night (15 August).

"The match will be very good. They are a strong team," he told the BBC about Chelsea's first game of the Premier League season. "Last season they had a good season. They have a good manager and good, physical, fast players with great talent.

"Also it's a derby. These types of games are very tough. But we want to play and start the season. It's the first time for me for everything. To start with a derby is tough but I'm excited. It's important my players must start in the right way, to take confidence after a year last last year."

Ahead of Chelsea's opening fixture, Conte revealed the Blues have been working on two different formations. "We've found two different tactical solutions. In the future it can change. I hope to very quickly find the right fit," the Chelsea manager explained.