Chelsea may be Premier League champions but they’re certainly not resting on their laurels this summer.
After the disastrous title defence of 2015-16, Antonio Conte is making no secret of his desire to avoid Jose Mourinho’s fate. His signings so far in the transfer window suggest that certainly won’t be the case.
In fact, the Blues have already smashed their transfer record with the £68 million capture of Alvaro Morata – accounting for the impending departure of Diego Costa.
Furthermore, Antonio Rudiger was reeled in for £34 million and Tiemoue Bakayoko was prized from AS Monaco for £39.7 million.
With Chelsea, as a result, having bolstering their defence, midfield and attack, you would think that would conclude the club’s transfer business. However, it seems their current captures are only half of the story.
According to the Mirror, Conte has actually been granted a further £150 million in his quest to sew up a second consecutive league title. If spent in its entirety, it would see Chelsea keep pace with the equally trigger-happed Manchester City.
The club has three players in mind for Roman Abramovich’s latest war chest and they prove Virgil van Dijk, Antonio Candreva and Alex Sandro.
Van Dijk was furiously chased by Liverpool at the beginning of the window but the Reds have ended interested after Southampton lodged a complaint against their approach. It opens the door for Chelsea to gain a monopoly over the Dutchman.
It is believed that the Blues would foot £60 million for his services. Moreover, with Southampton having banned him from their pre-season tour of France, there’s every reason to suggest an exit is imminent.
Defensive reinforcements won’t end there, though, and it seems Chelsea’s never-ending chase of Sandro is set to continue. This in spite of the fact Juventus are holding out for a fee in excess of £60 million.
The Brazilian has refused a new contract but with the Old Lady already having sold Leonardo Bonucci, their willing to shed another first team defender is questionable.
If Chelsea were to capture both Van Dijk and Sandro however, they would be compensating for the loss of John Terry in quite some style.
The experienced shoulders of Candreva would then conclude Conte’s summer spending. The winger played under the Chelsea boss with Italy and thrived with Inter Milan last season.
When asked about his interest in Candreva, Conte stated: “It is not correct to speak about the player of another team. Candreva is Inter’s player. I have great respect for him and his team and also for my players.”
If Chelsea conclude any of these three sagas, they will be entering the new season with a squad brimming with talent. No side has retained the Premier League title since 2009 but, on current trajectory, that could be set to change.
