LONDON -- Antonio Conte insists that Oscar's future "is Chelsea, full stop," despite speculation that the Brazilian could leave Stamford Bridge in January.
Oscar has not started a Premier League match since Conte's shift to a 3-4-3 formation at the end of September, and reports in England and Italy this week claimed that Chelsea are willing to listen to offers for the 25-year-old when the transfer window re-opens, with Inter and Jiangsu Suning potential suitors.
But Conte is adamant that Oscar still has a big role to play for Chelsea, while also reiterating his belief that Cesc Fabregas will stay at Stamford Bridge.
"Oscar's future is Chelsea, full stop," Conte said. "For me, Oscar is an important player in the squad. He's in good form. It's logical I have to take the starting XI every week, but Oscar is a great player. For me, he stays at Chelsea.
"It's important that this message arrives for all. But Oscar will stay with us because I consider him an important player for Chelsea."
On Fabregas, Conte added with a smile: "The same speech as for Oscar. I anticipate this question."
Conte has made just one change to his starting XI in the last five Premier League matches -- a run that has seen Chelsea take maximum points to rise to second in the table, scoring 16 goals and conceding none.
But the Italian insists he is confident in the depth of his squad, and believes he already has all the resources he needs to do "something important" this season.
"We have a complete squad," Conte added. "It's normal that, during a season, it can happen that there are some injuries. But now we have a good squad to have some substitutions if there are some injuries.
"I see a chance to build something important with Chelsea here, a new method and philosophy. These are the most important things.
"Then it's logical, when you play this championship, that you want to fight until the end. To win the title, or for a place in the Champions League. But, for me now, I don't talk about this. It's important now to work with the players, to continue to build something of important for Chelsea for the present and the future."
Much of the international break was overshadowed by pictures of England captain Wayne Rooney drinking at a wedding party during a squad night off. Conte said that while he does not look to control his Chelsea players' free time, he expects them to exhibit self-control.
"After the game, when the players have spare time, it's important I give them freedom," Conte admitted. "I want my players, when they have spare time, to take responsibility above all because, when I was a footballer, I had this type of experience after games.
"It's normal, after matches, above all if you win the game, that you want to celebrate. But it's important, always, to think of the next game for me."