Antonio Conte has breathed fresh life into a Chelsea side that looked devoid of any confidence and quality last season.

Despite a slow start to pre-season, Chelsea have quickly picked up the pace and look like they will be a real force once again in 2016/17.

With N’Golo Kante and Michy Batshuayi already signed, and a few other names likely on the way, Conte will have everything at his disposal to make Chelsea great again.

A number of key challenges await for the Italian manager; challenges that he must get past in order to be considered a success as Chelsea boss.

With that, here are FIVE things Antonio Conte MUST do to be considered a success at Chelsea...

Play The Youth

Chelsea’s youth system is the most successful in Europe – yet the club have failed to bring through a player in over 20 years.

John Terry was the last, and with his career winding down; it is up to Antonio Conte to bring through a fresh, home-grown talent.

Previous managers legacies have been marred by their inability to produce success alongside player development; and that buck MUST stop with Antonio Conte.

Conte has history of success in this field, bringing through a number of young stars at Juventus, including most notably Paul Pogba – who was a Manchester United reject when he was signed.

In order for Conte to be a success on a long term basis, he MUST bring through young talent.

Avoid Controversy

It lead to the fall of Jose Mourinho; and the same fate cannot be had by Antonio Conte.

The Italian has handled himself well through the press so far, and has given our a positive aura to those who have interacted with him.

Towards the end of his reign, Jose Mourinho’s reputation was beginning to reflect badly upon Chelsea, and that no doubt had a large impact on why he was sacked. And this poor image has been the lasting legacy of Mourinho’s second stint with the Blues.

Conte must avoid controversy at all costs.

Transfer Policy

It goes hand in hand with youth development, but for Chelsea to be successful long term they MUST stop spending huge sums of money on poor talent.

In recent years millions of pounds have been wasted on players that simply aren’t good enough; Abdul Baba Rahman, Juan Cuadrado and Papy Djilobodji to name but a few.

This in turn has not only made Chelsea less of a force on the pitch, but it has also halted the development of youth players and lost the club funds that could be better spent elsewhere.

Going forward, utilisation of youth and cheap players must become the focus of Chelsea signings.

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Premier League

It goes without saying; but Antonio Conte will be under strict instructions to get Chelsea back where they belong – to the top of the Premier League.

If he fails to win the league within his first few years, everything else is irrelevant; he will simply be gone.

Roman Abramovich does not tolerate multiple years without success; and Conte must deliver success IMMEDIATELY if he wants to succeed with Chelsea.

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Style of Play

Roman Abramovich has been in love with the tiki-taka style of player for years, and a similar style of play will no doubt be a requirement for Conte next year.

Abramovich isn’t looking for long balls a-la West Ham under Sam Allardyce; he is looking for passing, moving, dribbling; everything that makes a great football team great.

He will no doubt provide Conte with world class players that can play the style; but it will be up to Conte to enforce it week in week out.

If he doesn’t do that – he will be considered a failure.

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