'I don't know what will happen' says Antonio Conte when asked about Chelsea's January transfer plans

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says he is unaware of "what will happen" in January. The former Juventus and Italy coach added that he does not have the final say in the Blues' transfer business.

Conte helped Chelsea win the Premier League in his debut season in England. The former Juventus and Italy manager has struggled to replicate the last season's form this term. The Blues suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham United on 9 December.

The defeat leaves the Stamford Bridge outfit sit third in the league table with 32 points after 16 games. They are three points behind second place Manchester United and 14 points behind league leaders Manchester City.

When asked if new signings can help Chelsea change their fortune in the second half of the season, Conte explained, "I don't know because in January you have to wait the right time to adapt new players in our idea of football."

"I have to be realistic, we have to face this situation with these players. I'm happy to play with these players. January is too far and I don't know what will happen on [in] January.

"I'm the coach, I can give my opinion, but the club has to take the best decision in the summer, in January, next summer. It's normal this."

"It's normal, in every team, the coach speaks to his club. We can have an idea but you can have an idea in summer. But the final decision is always the club's. That will be the same in January. It is right to do this, I'm only the coach and not sporting director or manager."

Conte's comments on not having full control over the club's transfers appear to be a thinly veiled dig at Chelsea's chiefs, including the former technical director Michael Emenalo. The ex-Nigerian midfielder stepped down from his post at Stamford Bridge earlier in November and was appointed as AS Monaco's sporting director the same month.

Chelsea signed Alvaro Morata, Danny Drinkwater, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger, Davide Zappacosta and Willy Caballero in the summer transfer window. The Spain international has managed to score 10 goals in all competitions, while the German defender has made 11 appearnaces in the Premier League.

Bakayoko and the former Leicester City midfielder have struggled at the west London club, while Zappacosta is yet to get a run of games under his belt. The Blues manager has called for patience after suggesting the duo are still settling at Chelsea.