Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has refused to comment on the club’s reported interest in 36-year-old Peter Crouch and Roma striker Edin Dzeko.

Speaking during his press Conference ahead of tomorrow’s trip to the South Coast, Conte said it’s not right to talk about players of other Clubs.

A reaction that was the direct opposite of his response when he denied and ruled out a Chelsea move for Arsenal top man, Alexis Sanchez a week ago.

However, Conte is believed to be keen to sign a target man in the January transfer window, with English pair Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch, and former City striker, Dzeko also have been linked to the west Londoners.

When Conte was asked about the link to former Manchester City forward Dzeko at his Friday press conference at the club’s Cobham training ground and replied:

“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.”

He was also asked directly about 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.”

Conte also confirmed that new signing Ross Barkley will be in the squad for Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Brighton.

“Ross is in a good physical condition,” the Italian said.

“Yesterday he played 70 minutes in a friendly game. For tomorrow he’s in the squad. He’s coming with us for the game against Brighton.

I don’t know if during the game I will decide to give him the chance to play a part of the game or if I want to wait. For now, he’s in the squad. He has to continue to improve, to work with us, with our ideas.”