Conte demands more signings at Chelsea

Conte demands more signings at Chelsea

Antonio Conte has admitted Chelsea must bring in more players this summer in order to improve their chances of defending their Premier League title.

The Blues go into the 17/18 season as champions, having so far signed four players to bolster their chances of repeat success. Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata joined Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and Roma defender Antonio Rudiger at Stamford Bridge, along with free agent Willy Caballero who left Manchester City at the end of last season.

Conte’s side have been linked with various signings this summer on top of the four mentioned above. Names such as Virgil van Dijk, Alex Sandro, Joao Cancelo and Serge Aurier have been rumoured to be wanted in defence – alongside English duo Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Drinkwater from Arsenal and Leicester respectively.

Asked if it will be hard to retain the title this season without making more signings, Conte told Sky Sports: “Yes, for sure. This league is not easy. Six teams are very strong and you must be prepared.”

“I hope to be able to improve our squad. The transfer market is not finished. We want to be competitive and we want to fight for the title again. The club knows my priorities.”

“It’s a great challenge for us to try and retain the title, but we are working hard.”

Diego Costa has been rumoured to leave Chelsea this summer after being supposedly told by Conte over text that he is not in his plans, but Conte refused to be drawn to speculation on the player.

“The way I think about Costa is the same, I think I was very clear; it’s not important to repeat it.”

Speaking about Chelsea’s new club record signing Alvaro Morata, who the Blues signed for £70m in order to replace Costa, Conte revealed the Spaniard is in contention to start his first Premier League game at home to Burnley on Saturday.

“Alvaro is a really good player, he’s still young despite having a lot of experience,” he said.

“He needs to play regularly, he’s a player I trust a lot. I think he has good prospects for Chelsea – for now and the future.

“Will he start this weekend? He’s working very well and starting to understand or idea of football.”

Chelsea allowed midfielder Nemanja Matic to leave the club and join rivals Manchester United for £40m, something many have described as a strange transfer. Conte described the transfer as “a great loss”, hinting it was not his decision to allow the Serbian to leave.

“Matic knows very well what I think about him,” he said. “The importance for me about this player, who is a really good player, a top player, very important for our team, but sometimes you must accept this crazy transfer market.”

“And sometimes you must accept different decisions. But he is a great loss for us.”