Chelsea are set for a busy summer in the months ahead as they look to strengthen their side for the defence of the Premier League next season and also stand competitive in the Champions League- but there is big concerns.

The Blues significantly lack depth in key areas, meaning they’ll have to be extremely active in the market this summer to boost their options, and Antonio Conte seems ready to offload players- which will leave Chelsea needing further deals.

Crucially, Conte seems intent in offloading before he secures incoming deals and that leaves Chelsea in a tricky position- especially with one of the men set to leave presenting the Blues with a huge hole to fill at Stamford Bridge.

Quoted by Sky Sports, Spanish striker Diego Costa stated after last night’s international clash with Colombia that Conte has informed him he’s not in his plans for next season- leading the former Atletico Madrid man to seek an exit.

“I’m a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there. Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that’s it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.”

“It’s a shame, I’ve already forwarded the message to Chelsea people to decide. But it is clear that the coach does not count on me and does not want me there. You have to find a team.”

Costa finished with 20 goals during Chelsea’s Premier League title winning campaign and excelled in the first-half of the season. However, his form dipped significantly after a high-profile bust-up with Antonio Conte in January.

That clash was eventually resolved but Costa was far less impressive in the latter months of the season and speculation has circulated for a while to suggest that the Spaniard would be on his way out- although he won’t get the return to Atletico Madrid that he craves.

Atletico’s transfer ban rules out that move for Costa and the Spaniard has stated he’s not interested in a lucrative move to China, which makes it difficult to predict where the experienced striker will be plying his trade next season.

On Chelsea’s part, Costa making this public is the worst possible thing that could happen for them as it means that the striker’s they will push to sign will have their price-tags increased by the selling side as they look to capitalise on the Blues’ need to strengthen.

With Michy Batshuayi also reportedly on the way out, Chelsea could end up with no senior strikers for next season and replacements will be costly and money spent in this area will reduce the amount they can spend to increase the depth within other areas of their side.