Conte won’t settle for just Premier League success, these potential signings show that

Conte won’t settle for just Premier League success, these potential signings show that

Antonio Conte has more than impressed in his first season as Chelsea manager, taking the side which slumped to a tenth placed finish in the table last season to a ten point lead atop English football with ten games to go this term.

The Italian’s shift in style, from Jose Mourinho’s rigid 4-2-3-1 setup to his 3-4-3, has seen the Blues romp the league in a fashion no one would have expected at the start of the campaign, not even the most devout fans at Stamford Bridge.

The former Juventus and Italy manager, who took what was acclaimed as the Azzurri’s worst side for a generation to the quarter finals of the European Championships prior to moving to west London, is on the verge of a double in his maiden season as a Premier League manager, with his side just one game away from the FA Cup final.

With that in mind, there would be few who would begrudge the passionate boss if the success was not exactly replicated in a year’s time, but Conte is not resting on his laurels.

Recent reports have suggested that the powers that be in west London are ready to back a big spending summer once again as the club go in search of European glory once more.

Conte has, time and again, spoke of his desire to return to Champions League football and to do so with this Chelsea side, he even took a trip to The Etihad to take in their clash with Monaco purely because he missed the atmosphere.

With that in mind, he is not planning to hold back in going after success on the continental stage next term, with big names being linked with a Stamford Bridge switch.

Topping the list of summer targets, if reports are to be believed, is Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez. The Chile international has been the subject of season-long negotiations over a new deal, which have now been shelved until the summer.

With the club and player still seemingly no closer to a decision, Conte is ready and waiting to pounce and with Arsenal demanding around £50m, there should be few complications for the Blues to get their bid in.

Add to the the links with the likes of Juventus man Alex Sandro and Bayern Munich’s David Alaba, and it is quite clear Conte is going hammer and tongs for European glory next season.

It was clear just how much the Champions League win in 2012 meant to the club and it’s fans, therefore, should Conte manage to take the Premier League title in his first season and then follow it up with a strong showing on the European stage next season would be something quite miraculous.