Antonio Conte says Chelsea's challenges this season demonstrate the scale of the achievement in his first campaign as manager, when the club won the Premier League title.
The Italian also said Chelsea must decide the "moment" they are in after again hinting at his season-long frustrations with the club hierarchy over recruitment.
Speaking before Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final at Leicester City, Conte said: "Don't forget this season has confirmed one thing: that last season we did an incredible achievement."
Conte revived a Chelsea side which finished 10th the previous season, under Jose Mourinho and then interim successor Guus Hiddink, to become champions the following campaign.
The Italian warned of a possible repeat of a "Mourinho season" before this season began, but, although tumultuous at times, Chelsea are still in contention for a top-four place in the Premier League and remain in the FA Cup.
Conte's position has been the subject of speculation for much of this campaign.
He signed a new contract after the title success, but only improved terms, not an extension to the deal which runs until June 2019.
And he has continually grumbled about recruitment, suggesting Chelsea missed an opportunity to build on his first season's success, after the departures of many long-time first-team players.
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Conte said: "If you want to improve, to become strong, to accelerate this progress, you have to buy great players.
"For me the most important thing is to work very hard, to try to improve the club and the players. Then to understand the moment of the club.
"If you understand the right moment of the club, you can judge in the best way.
"If you are able to win something, it's good. But you have to understand which is your moment, which is your position in this moment, which is your level in this moment."
On another matter, Conte thinks no-one in England is at the level of Lionel Messi, who scored twice in Barcelona's 3-0 win over Chelsea on Wednesday.
Only Diego Maradona and Brazil's Pele are comparable, Conte said, before recalling playing the ArgentinE World Cup winner early in his own playing career.
Conte said: "I marked him [Maradona] when I played with Lecce [against Napoli]. We lost 3-2 and I scored one goal."
Asked if Maradona had made an error in allowing Conte to score, the Italian laughed before providing an answer which again showed his admiration for Messi.
He added: "Before football was totally different. Now this football is modern football.
"Modern football you must be strong, fast, you must be prepared physically. Only talent is not enough to be a modern player.
"You can see when Messi goes for a tackle, he's very strong. He's not tall, but he's very strong. He's fast."
Get inspired
Here are a couple of Valentine’s Day food products that may or may not go the distance (but have got the internet talking anyway).
Sourdough sentiments: Marks & Spencer in the United Kingdom has introduced a slow-baked sourdough loaf dusted with flour to spell out I (heart) you, at £2 (Dh9.5). While it’s not available in the UAE, there’s nothing to stop you taking the idea and creating your own message of love, stencilled on breakfast-inbed toast.
Crisps playing cupid: Crisp company Tyrells has added a spicy addition to its range for Valentine’s Day. The brand describes the new honey and chilli flavour on Twitter as: “A tenderly bracing duo of the tantalising tingle of chilli with sweet and sticky honey. A helping hand to get your heart racing.” Again, not on sale here, but if you’re tempted you could certainly fashion your own flavour mix (spicy Cheetos and caramel popcorn, anyone?).
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 0
Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')
Abu Dhabi Card
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,400m
National selection: AF Mohanak
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 1,400m
National selection: Jayide Al Boraq
6pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 100,000 1,400m
National selection: Rocket Power
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh 180,000 1,600m
National selection: Ihtesham
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 1,600m
National selection: Noof KB
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 2.200m
National selection: EL Faust
OPTA'S PREDICTED TABLE
1. Liverpool 101 points
2. Manchester City 80
3. Leicester 67
4. Chelsea 63
5. Manchester United 61
6. Tottenham 58
7. Wolves 56
8. Arsenal 56
9. Sheffield United 55
10. Everton 50
11. Burnley 49
12. Crystal Palace 49
13. Newcastle 46
14. Southampton 44
15. West Ham 39
16. Brighton 37
17. Watford 36
18. Bournemouth 36
19. Aston Villa 32
20. Norwich City 29
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Seoul from Dh3,775 return, including taxes
The package
Ski Safari offers a seven-night ski package to Korea, including five nights at the Dragon Valley Hotel in Yongpyong and two nights at Seoul CenterMark hotel, from £720 (Dh3,488) per person, including transfers, based on two travelling in January
The info
Visit www.gokorea.co.uk
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
Quarter-finals
Saturday (all times UAE)
England v Australia, 11.15am
New Zealand v Ireland, 2.15pm
Sunday
Wales v France, 11.15am
Japan v South Africa, 2.15pm
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
