Chelsea boss Antonio Conte can understand Roy Hodgson returning to football at Crystal Palace.

Croydon-born Hodgson was named as the Eagles' new manager in September after the club relieved Frank de Boer, who had been in charge for just five games and 77 days, of his duties.

The appointment marked a return to club football for 70-year-old Hodgson, who resigned as England coach following the nation's disastrous Euro 2016 campaign.

Conte told reporters at Cobham on Friday: "I don't know [if he'd still be in management at 70].

"Our job is difficult because you have a lot of pressure every season and you think maybe I need a bit of rest. But when you have the rest, after one month, you want to work because football is a drug.

"When you have your job and a lot of pressure you think maybe sometimes when there is a loss, maybe a bit of rest could be good for me. But when you have the rest you're feeling is bad because you start to lack something."