The man with a plan
Not many top managers have done it, winning the EPL in the very first season and Antonio Conte has joined that elite list. He came with the reputation of winning 3 consecutive titles with Juventus, but quickly understood english premier league is way more competitive than Serie A with consecutive defeats against Liverpool and London rivals Arsenal. Not many expected what happened after that game against Arsenal on september 24th 2016, Arsenal leading chelsea 3–0 at half and there came the change in formation 3–4–2–1 and the season for chelsea. It took the EPL by surprise, Chelsea went on 13 match winning run and rightfully sealed the season. He showed his potential to use his resources more efficiently.

As always said, “One thing tougher than first win is doing it again”. Conte was tactically brilliant but not to forget chelsea were gifted with injuries and he could use the same set of players week in and week out. It is going to be tougher this season with Champions league football coming back to Stamford bridge. He needs to rotate his players and has already been shown by a few teams last season, how to counter the 3–4–2–1 formation.
Conte took the EPL and his fellow counterparts by surprise last season and he needs to do it again to win consecutive titles, which is only achieved before by Ferguson and Jose. Chelsea’s targets this season tells a lot about the different kind of formations Conte would like to play.
Antonio Rudiger

6 foot 3 tall and strong german international who can play as CB and Right back. Pochettino earlier in the year exposed the weakness of chelsea’s right side of the defense (height — both Moses and Cesar standing 5 foot 10) with those goals from Deli Alli. Conte could plug that weakness with Rudiger who can play alongside Cesar at the right or even as a CB who has pace and good ball distribution. Rudiger a welcome addition to the Chelsea squad who gives more than one option for Conte.
Tiemoue Bakayako

Chelsea have always been blessed with great engines at the centre of the pitch who can run up and down, intercept and win balls to give it back to the front line. Matic was the pillar and Jose’s main man when Chelsea won the title in 2014–15 season. But make no mistake he is not the same guy 2 seasons on from then. His ability in the final third is something Conte is not happy about and Bakayako will definitely be an upgrade to Matic. He is a player who takes pride in going forward making crucial interceptions and more importantly offers much more in the final third with his dribbling and passing range. Plugging him in the centre of the midfield with Kante will add lot of solidarity and also gives Conte an option to play Fabregas with either 3–5–2 or 4–3–3 or even his most favoured 4–2–4 where the two can give lot of safety for the back line and Conte will have the luxury to deploy all his attackers with ease which he used in Siena
Alex Sandro

Chelsea are still trying to find a replacement for Ashley Cole, one of the best left backs the game has seen. Once Cole left the blues in 2014, chelsea have tried different players and spent close to 60 million to find a similar player with no success. Alex Sandro might be the closest to Chelsea’s search for Ashley cole. Nothing against Marcos Alonso who had a terrific season but player of Alex Sandro’s profile will be a fantastic upgrade to what Alonso provided Chelsea. Pacy full back who has the ability to do a lot in attack with his dribbling and track back to take care of the left flank of the side. He will give the width Conte wants and one Hazard will love which will make him play more inside and also less tracking back. He will provide lot of options for Conte where he can play 3–4–3, 3–5–2 and more importantly 4–3–3 which will allow the wingers to play more inside. Addition of Sandro will make Hazard more dangerous. He is the typical Conte player who will give lots of options both on the attack and defensive end. Probably the 2nd best left full back currently in the world.
These signings, and the ones coming, are indicative of the fact that Conte knows that he needs to adapt to compete on various fronts this season. Last year, at times, Conte did not have enough options to change things around. These signings may or may not be successful but they give him options.
Can Chelsea pull of Conte’s targets in the summer? Can Conte do it 2 in a row and take Chelsea to the promised land once again? Only time will tell. One thing is certain, that if Chelsea pull these off then they will certainly be a force to reckon with once again. Forza Chelsea!!!
