Chelsea’s memories of winning the Premier League last season seem to be fading as the Blues struggle in the summer transfer window, a precedent that has stood for West London side throughout their years of glory.

Roman Abramovich’s club should have learnt their lessons in the transfer market following their previous failings but the Blues have managed to get themselves in a mess again, leaving Antonio Conte’s squad looking very thin just days before the start of the new season.

The decision to sell Nemanja Matic to Manchester United has been criticised by many and the Blues lack significant depth in their squad following the exits of Asmir Begovic, Nathan Ake, Nathaniel Chalobah and company, with Diego Costa likely to follow before the month is out.

Conte has spent heavily to bring in the likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Morata but the wealth of departures means that the Blues’ squad isn’t any stronger that it was last season- and the Italian boss is desperate for further additions.

Former Juventus boss Conte has his eyes on a number of top-targets this month as the defending champions have been heavily linked with Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk, Juventus’ Alex Sandro and Swansea City’s Fernando Llorente, amongst others, but there’s a lack of progress being made on the market.

Whilst there’s still time to get business done, the damage may have already been handed to the Blues as they face a huge clash with Tottenham Hotspur in the second week of the new Premier League season.

Chelsea endured a slow start last season but managed to catch-up, although this year they have to cope with their involvement in the Champions League. With all things considered, it’s left Jamie Carragher to make a bold claim.

Speaking to Sky Sports, the former Liverpool defender stated he doesn’t see Conte remaining at the club by the time next summer comes around.

“I’d be very surprised if I’m sitting here in 12 months’ time and he’s the Chelsea manager. I think he’s the type of manager who won’t accept the involvement from people above, especially on the back of winning the title.”

“He’s not going to go quietly and it’s not great for the club when the manager is coming out and speaking the way he is.”

Chelsea have been ruthless with their treatment on managers in the past, with Abramovich regularly wielding the axe, but the Blues are running out of top-class managers to appoint.