Chelsea boss Antonio Conte ranks Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez and Bayern Munich's Arturo Vidal among 'best in world'

Antonio Conte has labelled Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez and his Chile teammate Arturo Vidal as among the ‘best in the world’, but says it is not entirely down to him who will arrive in the January transfer window.

The Blues manager, who also revealed he changed his mobile number to avoid calls from agents during the window, revealed that he has very little say in which players the club ‘invest’ in, though he offers his opinion.

Conte has already claimed his squad is not big enough to allow any players to move on this season, meaning January arrivals are far from out of the question.

With Sanchez’s departure from The Emirates becoming seemingly more likely every day, Conte has heaped praise on the wantaway Gunners star, as well as Bayern Munich midfielder Vidal.

"I think there is this maybe this habit here, but I’m not involved in the transfer market, I give my opinion but the club decide for the players they want to buy, to invest in," Conte said.

"I changed my number. I don’t have this problem. In this period for us it’s very difficult, but it’s right for the club to be involved 100 per cent in the transfer market and to try to do the best for the team and for the club and I’m ready to face every situation.

"We must stay calm. I don’t like to speak about other players of other teams but you are talking about two big and strong players, top players for their roles, and Vidal is one of the best in the world but Sanchez is the same as a striker."