Antonio Conte is beginning to mould his Chelsea team into potential title challengers.

The Blues suffered frustrating defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal in the middle of September, this all after three straight wins to start the season.

However, despite a few defensive mishaps in those two games, Conte’s side have recorded three consecutive victories without conceding a goal – the latest of those a 4-0 drubbing of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United on Sunday.

Their excellent win over United lifted the Blues to fourth in the table, just a point adrift of leaders Manchester City, and Conte’s men will go into their League Cup game against West Ham on Wednesday full of confidence after a fantastic few weeks.

Nevertheless, there has already been speculation about who Conte may look to sign when the transfer window reopens in January, in a bid to reinforce his squad ready for a sustained title challenge into the second half of the season.

Here are TWO players Chelsea fans should get excited about in January…

Angel di Maria

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

It may not have worked out at Manchester United for Angel di Maria, but there is no doubting that the Argentine is a sensational footballer.

The 28-year-old moved to Paris Saint-Germain in 2015 after just a season at Old Trafford, in which time he managed just four goals for the Red Devils.

And, after a tricky start to life under new boss Unai Emery in the French capital, di Maria could be on the move again, with Chelsea linked with bringing him back to the Premier League.

The Argentine international scored his first goal of the season in PSG’s 3-0 win over Basel in the Champions League last week, and has become a more regular feature in Emery’s starting eleven.

However, recent reports suggest that he may be unsettled at the club, which could accelerate any deal for the former Real Madrid winger.

Antoine Griezmann

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

They may have to fend off interest from Manchester United, but Chelsea are very much in the race for Antoine Griezmann.

The French international was integral to his side’s run to the European Championship final in the summer, with his six goals, including a brace in the semi-final win over Germany, helping to inspire the nation throughout the tournament.

Euro 2016 was a culmination of a brilliant few years at Atletico Madrid, where the 25-year-old has netted 57 times in two seasons for the Spanish club.

However, he parted company with his agent last month and, with an £85 million release clause unlikely to put Chelsea off, the Blues could move for the La Liga Player of the Year in January.