With Antonio Conte’s Italy now out of this summers European Championship, in a few his reign as new Chelsea boss will begin.
His inherited side performed woefully last season, and he will no doubt be looking to improve the personnel at his disposal as he looks to rebuild his faltering side.
That process has already begun, with the capture of Michu Batshuayi last week, signed from Marseille for a huge £33million.
With his signing, Chelsea’s attacking line is looking very strong, and Conte will now no doubt be redirecting his attention towards the other areas on the pitch.
Chelsea defence last year was a particular lowlight of the team, and is a problem that Conte will no doubt be seeking to rectify; whilst Chelsea’s midfield is expected to see a number of departures over the next few weeks with the likes of John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic set to leave.
With that, there is no doubting that the rest of the transfer window going forward will be focused around the Chelsea midfield and defence, which if Conte can improve will stand The Blues in good stead going forward.
Here are SIX additions that could complete Conte’s new look Chelsea...
Leonardo Bonucci
Leonardo Bonucci is Chelsea’s primary defensive target, with rumours linking him with the club having persisted over the last few months, with the club seemingly set to battle for the defender with a host of top European sides.
A powerful, no nonsense defender, Bonucci currently ply’s his trade with the hugely successful Italian side Juventus.
During his tenure with the club he worked under the management of Antonio Conte, with the pair forming a strong relationship – which is likely the main source of the transfer rumour.
Chelsea’s inconsistent, ageing defence would no doubt be improved by the capture of Bonucci, and while at at 29 he wouldn’t be a long term signing; he would surely add an extra layer of strength to the Chelsea defence for a few years.
John Stones
Like Bonucci, Stones has been a long term Chelsea target, and is also attracting the attention of top sides at home and abroad.
He differs from Bonucci in that his style of play is much more technical; he often looks for a pass instead of a clearance in an attempt to hold onto the ball.
At 22 years old, Stones is seen by the Chelsea brass as a long term solution to their defensive woes, and eye him as a potential John Terry replacement in the years to come.
Like Bonucci, his fee will likely be astronomical; but there is no doubting his ability. A year or two playing next to a maestro like John Terry would do him, and this Chelsea side wonders.
Conte has many of the tools that he needs to produce immediate success; now he needs to look towards the future.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Kalidou Koulibaly in many ways can be seen as a hybrid between the experienced, no nonsense defending style of Bonucci and the young, technical brilliance of John Stones.
At 25 years old, Koulibaly has been a mainstay in the Napoli side in recent years, and now is reportedly looking for a fresh challenge, with Chelsea his ideal destination.
Like Stones, he is recognised for his passing ability, but also offers a strong, no nonsense style of play when it is necessary in the vein of Bonucci.
With Chelsea desperate to improve their defence in the short and long term; he would be a perfect fit.
Paul Pogba
Chelsea’s interest in Paul Pogba has been widely reported in recent years, and like Leonardo Bonucci, his relationship with Antonio Conte has seen the rumours increase in the last few months.
The most sought after player in world football, Pogba is a talismanic central midfielder that offers outstanding technical ability and power through the middle of the park.
His fee would likely be a world record sum; but it would be worth every penny. There is not a top European side that is not interested in the Frenchman, and if Chelsea can capture him it would be quite the coup.
He would walk into the Chelsea side and immediately improve it; the perfect piece to complete the Pogba puzzle.
Radja Nainggolan
Another long-rumoured Chelsea target is Belgian Radja Nainggolan.
The no nonsense midfielder currently ply’s his trade with AS Roma in Italy, and has proven his quality in recent years with a number of outstanding goals and unstoppable performances.
He would offer some much needed steel and bite to that Chelsea midfield, having proven his quality once more with a number of stunning performances in France this summer in the European Championship.
With Nemanja Matic seemingly destined for the exit door this summer, Chelsea would be hard pressed to find a better replacement.
Axel Witsel
Axel Witsel has emerged as a recent target over the last few days, with Chelsea preparing to miss out on both Paul Pogba and Radja Nainggolan. Whilst he would be a tertiary choice, he still has more than enough quality to succeed with the Blues.
The Belgian international currently plays with Zenit in the Russian League, and is reportedly look to leave the club in search of a top European club.
Merging many of the traits of Paul Pogba and Radja Nainggolan, Witsel offers a versatile midfield playing style, with passing and tacking two key features of his game.
He would possibly be available for a significantly smaller fee than Chelsea two other midfield targets, perhaps giving The Blues more reason to chase the Belgian.
With Chelsea’s midfield depth looking particularly thin going into next season, Witsel would be a perfect match for the Blues.