Antonio Conte is determined to prove Alex Ferguson wrong after the former Manchester United manager dismissed Chelsea's Premier League title hopes.

Despite Chelsea's 4-0 rout of United, Ferguson instead talked up Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and his former side as potential candidates.

Chelsea are fifth in the standings, four points adrift of top spot as they prepare to face Southampton on Sunday, and head coach Conte insists it is too early to be writing off his team's chances.

"I respect a lot what he said, but I know that we are working very well,'' Conte said.

"I think now we are now in a good way to improve a lot and to become a team that can stay [in contention] till the end to get something.

"Our ambition must be always to play to win every game. Always. It's important.

"I try to transfer this to my players in every moment, in every day, every week, in every game.

"We must be ambitious. But to be ambitious you must work a lot.''

"It's very difficult to tell now our target,'' the Italian continued. "Because it's early and in these games, we had difficulty against Arsenal and Liverpool.

"For this reason it's important not to look at the table. It's important to understand this type of work we're doing now is good to improve and to become a strong team.

"A bit of time in the future, yes, after I think eight, 10 [more] games, I can tell our target.''