No Chelsea fan will have forgotten the dramatic drop off in form from winning the title in 2015 to Premier League also-rans in 2016. The spectre of that season and the loss of a legendary manager still lingers, and has partly coloured the anxiety surrounding the Blues’ preparation for the 2017/18 campaign.

Questions remain about whether Chelsea have learned the lesson from past failed title defences, and whether they have rested on their laurels once again, but there was one major differentiating factor that Blues supporters must look at this time around: Antonio Conte.

Now, this is not to say that the Italian is a better manager than Mourinho or even perhaps Ancelotti, who were not able to address the club’s post title malaise’s during their time in charge, but Conte’s drive for perfection and consistency, as well as his relentlessness in pursuing victory, is something that offers Chelsea something new.

Last September, in pursuit of a solution to the Blues’ poor start to the season, it was reported that Conte wanted a bed at a training ground so he could work night and day to address the situation. He has admitted publicly that he finds it hard to sleep after losing matches as well. The hatred of losing, and the expectation that every player puts in 100%, could be decisive factors this season.

Chelsea fans will hope Conte’s time at Juventus is entirely mirrored at Stamford Bridge. The Italian took over in May 2011. He won his first league title in his first season at the club, just like with the Blues. He then followed that up with two more titles in consecutive campaigns before moving on to become the manager of the Italian national team.

Certainly there are some key differences. Juve never had to contend with so many strong rivals in Serie A than Chelsea have in the Premier League. It is important to remind people though that the Bianconeri had finished seventh the year before Conte took over, as well as the season before that. The Italian made them into a top European club within the space of one season.

With so much money being thrown around however, specifically by both Manchester clubs, Conte is aware that the club must not stand still. They have to keep improving the squad. After already signing four players in Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Willy Caballero this summer, he still wants four more according to the latest reports.

The most important areas are the wing back areas. Signing Alex Sandro from his old club Juventus seems to be the main priority for the left hand side. It is not clear yet whether the club’s pursuit of Inter’s Antonio Candreva would be to fill the right wing back role, to provide competition for Victor Moses, or to play further forward.

It looks like a centre back in Virgil van Dijk and a reserve striker in Fernando Llorente are on the cards as well. Even if Conte does not get every signing over the line before August 31st though, you can bet your life that the Italian will not let his team wilt under the pressure of a title defence. His desire to win, and his striving for perfection, will be key to Chelsea’s form heading into the new season.