Antonio Conte working on Chelsea's foundations

Antonio Conte is bidding to defy recent history at Chelsea - and warned the Blues patience and time are required to build sustainable foundations.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, a man not renowned for patience in his 14 years in control, has regularly hired and fired managers but still won numerous trophies.

Conte secured the fifth Premier League title of the Abramovich era and reached the FA Cup final in his first season as Chelsea head coach.

But this summer has seen doubts over the Italian's future, before he belatedly signed an improved contract, although not an extension to the deal which has two years left to run.

There has also been rumoured friction over transfers, incomings and outgoings, with Diego Costa's future still to be resolved as the striker remains in exile.

Conte reckons Chelsea's title win, when he revived a team which finished 10th in defence of the trophy the previous season, belied the fact that there are underlying issues which must be resolved for long-term success at Chelsea.

"No-one put a gun (to) my head and (said): 'You win or you go away'," Conte said.

"The only thing I can promise is work, work, work and that I will try to do my best to improve the club.

"Sometimes you can win but you are not building something positive for your future.

"Sometimes you don't win but you are preparing yourself to be better.

"We have to build a solid foundation, and in this moment we don't have this solid foundation.

"Last season we started to build this foundation and we won so it means we built something.

"But now it's not enough, so we have to improve, to extend this basis, work together with new players."

Conte, who wishes to add players to his thin squad before the summer transfer window closes on August 31, saw his side lose to Burnley on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

But the Italian was in a jovial mood on Friday.

He added: "I must have a good mood. I have to transfer positivity and not negativity (to my players)."

Conte says Sunday's opponents Tottenham, runners-up to Chelsea in May, already have a firm foundation as they enter a fourth season under Mauricio Pochettino.

Some have questioned Conte's commitment. He signed improved terms to the initial three-year deal he agreed on taking up the job and his contract still expires in June 2019.

"But I have still two years, this season and next season to work with this club," Conte added.

"Then if we stay very well and we have the same vision, we continue. I don't see any problems about the future.

"I think that I stay in the right club at this point of my career."

Asked if Chelsea share his vision, he added: "I have the vision to work. I have only this vision.

"Sometimes slowly, slowly, to try to improve to build something important.

"But if you ask me how long this path is, my answer is we need time. Honestly we need time.

"To arrive and try to fight for Champions League, to try to fight to be the best in the world, you need time."