Chelsea face a challenge to improve their Premier League winning side this summer ahead of a title defence and the return to Champions League football next season, which will put Antonio Conte’s side to the test.

The Blues stormed to league glory this season but were fortunate to avoid any significant injuries to key-players and certainly benefitted from the lack of mid-week football in Europe- and that could change their fortunes next season.

Conte’s squad significantly lacks depth when compared to the rest of the Premier League’s top six and it’s an issue that needs to be resolved this summer, as next season is set to be fiercely competitive for the Blues.

Therefore, it’s concerning to see The Sun report that three players could be sold this summer to help fund Conte’s transfer activity- which suggests the Blues will approve exits before they buy, which would limit their squad depth further.

Diego Costa, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas are named as the trio that Conte will look to offload but those exits would leave their squad looking thin in key areas- as the Blues would be without a top-class striker and would lack options amidst reports that Michy Batshuayi is on his way out.

In midfield, the loss of both Fabregas and Matic would leave Chelsea without any first-team options to partner N’Golo Kante in midfield and the trio of departures would lead Conte to have to sign replacements- and he already needs signing in other areas.

The Blues lack depth defensively, particularly in the wide areas, and a sale for this trio would leave their necessary additions this summer standing at at least five- which could cause Conte problems as he looks to settle his new additions into his side.

Chelsea’s best course of action would be to buy before they sell and finances should not be an issue for the Blues- unless Roman Abramovich is being tight with his money, which wouldn’t be surprising given his history at Stamford Bridge.

In previous years where Chelsea have won the Premier League, the Blues have failed to significant strengthen their ranks in the following close season and it’s a sense of arrogance that could prove to be disastrous next term.

Chelsea were fortunate this season but won’t enjoy the same luck next term, with their squad stretched by European involvement and the rest of the top-six gunning for their Premier League crown- and spending vast amounts of money in an attempt to dethrone the Blues.