Friday 29 December 2017 18:46, UK
Antonio Conte insists Chelsea must not sell Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard if they are to compete for trophies in the future.
Courtois is reportedly willing to join Real Madrid, while Hazard's father fuelled speculation about the forward by claiming his son had rejected a contract extension at Chelsea amid continued links with the Spanish club.
However, Sky Sports News understands that Hazard, who has over two years left on his current deal, has not been offered a new contract by the club.
"You are talking about two important players for us," said Conte.
"It will be very important to continue with these types of players especially for your ambition to try to compete for something important.
"It is important to try and improve your team, to strengthen and not to sell the best players."
Asked about whether Courtois may be looking to move to Spain to be with his family, Conte said: "I don't know about this issue.
"When you are in a great club and you trust in the project, you want to stay. I think the family is not a problem.
"This is a private conversation between the player, the agent and the club.
"If you ask me, for sure I hope he stays."
Conte also dismissed the speculation about Hazard's future as a "private" matter and says he is "proud to have him" in the Chelsea team.
"My answer is always the same," Conte added. "This is a private conversation between the club and the player and the agent of the player.
"The same picture is for Eden. I am proud to have him in my squad and to work with him.
"He is a good guy and he has a lot of space for improvement and to become one of the best players in the world.
"But on this issue, I repeat, this must be a private conversation."
