LONDON -- Antonio Conte has played down reports that Nemanja Matic could join Juventus this summer, but admits that Chelsea are being forced to wait for " the right solutions" in what he calls a "very crazy transfer market."
There has been speculation about Matic's future all summer after a season in which his form nosedived as Chelsea mounted the worst title defence of the Premier League era under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink.
Reports in Italy this week suggested that Matic will now stay at Chelsea after being convinced of his importance at Stamford Bridge by Conte in a private meeting.
Conte declined to confirm the meeting in his first Friday news conference as Chelsea head coach, but reiterated Matic is a big part of his plans.
"I speak a lot with all my players," Conte said when asked about the reported Matic meeting. "Usually when you arrive in a new club it's important to get to know the new players, to speak, to understand and to listen why last season was so bad.
"For a new coach it's important to get inside the heads of the players to understand and solve the situation. Nemanja is an important player and he knows this. There isn't a problem with him. Nemanja was a Chelsea player and is a Chelsea player."
Reports linking Matic to Juventus have resurfaced in the wake of Paul Pogba's record-breaking £89.3 million move from Turin to Manchester United -- a deal announced less than 24 hours before rivals Manchester City confirmed that they had signed John Stones from Everton for £47.5m, making him the world's second-most expensive defender ever.
Chelsea, in contrast, have been relatively restrained in the transfer market, acquiring N'Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi for a combined £58m, and Conte admits that the Blues have needed to be patient in transfer talks this summer.
"We speak every day with the club," Conte said when asked about transfers. "We have a plan. We know that this transfer market is very crazy but we must be patient to find the right solutions for the team, to improve this squad.
"I believe every single club is having to adapt their transfer policy with their own ideas. Chelsea is waiting for the right solutions and in this moment it's not easy for us. But I think [it's the same] for all the clubs because it's a very crazy transfer market."
Asked if the prices of top players had become too high for Chelsea, Conte replied: "Not for Chelsea, in general. This market is a bit crazy because when you try to buy a player, the cost is not the valuation of the player. It's a very strange situation. Now we are waiting for the right solution for the club."