Conte refuses to comment on Dzeko, Crouch rumours

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has refused to comment on the club’s reported interest in strikers Edin Dzeko and Peter Crouch.

The Blues are keen on signing a new target man before the transfer window shuts, and had also been linked with a swoop for West Ham’s Andy Carroll.

However, news that the Hammers forward has suffered an ankle injury appears to have ended that move, and the Blues now have former Manchester City ace Dzeko and Stoke City striker Crouch in their sights.

Asked about the links to the two frontmen in Friday’s press conference, Conte said: “As you know very well, I think it’s not right to talk about players of other teams.

“I’m not interested in it.

“There is a transfer market in this period and if something happens you are the first to know the news.”

Asked directly about the rumours surrounding the Blues’ interest in Crouch, Conte added: “My answer is the same.

“I’m not interested in this conversation, also because this is disrespectful for my players, for the other players, for the players of the other clubs.

“As I said before: in this period there is a transfer market, if something happens, you know. You are the first to know (the) news.”