The impenetrable Chelsea backline including one key summer target

Premier League leaders Chelsea reached the final of the FA Cup over the weekend after beating Tottenham 4-2 in the semi-final at Wembley.

It was billed as the battle of the best two teams in England given their respective league positions, and after two league defeats in August, many wondered whether Antonio Conte’s Blues could respond against an in-form Spurs team.

And they put any doubts to bed with a brace from Willian as well as goals from Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic securing their passage through to the final, where they will face Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal after they came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 in the other semi-final.

With Conte’s men four points clear at the top of the league as well, the double is very much on for the Italian in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, and although they still have much to play for between now and the end of the campaign, it hasn’t stopped speculation building about who they may look to sign in the summer.

And one named they’ve been linked with in recent days is Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk, who is currently on the sidelines after being ruled out of the rest of the season with an ankle injury.

The Dutch international has been outstanding for the Saints this term, and that has seen interest mount in the 25-year-old, with Conte’s Chelsea one of several top sides linked with the towering centre-back’s services.

However, Conte has reportedly prioritised the signing of van Dijk this summer, and this is what their impenetrable backline could look like if they indeed complete a deal for the Saints ace in the transfer window…