Four Chelsea signings Antonio Conte needs this summer

Finding John Terry’s long-term successor

John Terry’s void will be felt when the Chelsea squad return for pre-season training next month. The former England captain struggled to break into the Chelsea team under Antonio Conte last term. However, the five-time Premier League winner still played an important role in the background as Chelsea won the title for the second time in three seasons. Conte stuck with Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and David Luiz as his back three throughout most of the 2016-17 season.

The English defender looks the most likely to lose out on a place should Conte recruit a new centre-half. Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk would be a stylish addition to the Chelsea team but as Liverpool know, the Saints are reluctant to let the defender go. The Dutch defender would be a long-term replacement for Terry given his age – 25. Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has been touted as another option but at 30, this would be more of a short-term option. Having said that, if Conte is only planning to hang around for another two or three seasons, the Italy international would be a signing that makes sense.

Striker to replace Diego Costa

Conte’s future has been a source of speculation in recent weeks, largely down to the fact that the coach opted to inform Diego Costa over text that he wasn’t part of his plans. Chelsea weren’t happy when this information was made public, naturally impacting their ability to negotiate a premium price for the two-time Premier League winner. Romelu Lukaku is thought to be Chelsea’s top target this summer but Everton have placed a £90m price tag on the striker.

It is understandable that Roman Abramovich is reluctant to cough up a club-record fee for a player that Chelsea sold to Everton in a £27m deal three season ago. Whether it is Lukaku or another target such as Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata or Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the Chelsea owner will have to be prepared to part with £60m this summer.

Defensive midfielder to partner N’Golo Kante

Jose Mourinho fell out spectacularly with his squad following their title success in 2014-15. However, one Chelsea player who still seemingly has a soft spot for the Portuguese coach must be Nemanja Matic. The Serbia international is thought to be keen on a reunion with Mourinho. Matic was a regular under Conte last season but the defensive midfielder is still to get back to his best.

If the Serbian was to leave Stamford Bridge, Conte would have the room to bring in a defensive midfielder to partner N’Golo Kante in his lauded 3-4-3 formation. Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko would be an excellent partner for Kante. The 23-year-old would complement Kante with his size and power, and in doing so, would give Chelsea the necessary midfield mettle to challenge in the Champions League next term.

Improve wing-back options

Chelsea’s wing-backs were perhaps the surprise package of the 2016-17 season. Victor Moses managed to salvage a Chelsea career after finding his opportunities limited under Rafael Benitez and Mourinho. The Nigerian played a key role in Conte’s successful switch to a 3-4-3 tactic. Marcos Alonso arrived at Chelsea in a £17m deal last summer amid some scorn given his Premier League history with Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland. However, Conte’s system suited Alonso and he can make a claim to have been the Premier League’s best left-back last term.

While Alonso and Moses deserve to remain in the starting line-up, Chelsea will need greater depth as Conte prepares to battle on four fronts next term. The Premier League champions have reportedly submitted a £52m bid to sign Alex Sandro from Juventus. That’s a lot of money for a player not to be named in the starting line-up on a weekly basis. Dani Alves has also been touted with a switch to Chelsea. Signing the Juventus duo could inject some disharmony into the squad given Alonso and Moses performed so well for Conte last term.