Antonio Conte has had a mixed start to life as Chelsea manager following his appointment over the summer.
The Blues won their first three league matches and looked like they were going to seriously challenge the two Manchester clubs for the title, but a run of just one win in four since then has deflated that early season optimism.
Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Liverpool and Arsenal reminded fans of Chelsea frailties that were evident last season under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink, and it would also have reminded Conte of the tough task he has on his hands at Stamford Bridge.
Their recent run may have the Italian thinking ahead to the January transfer window, and what reinforcements he may need to get Chelsea’s title bid back on track.
Here are THREE things he must improve in January…
Centre-back options
Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
Defensively, Chelsea have been poor at times this season, with Gary Cahill singled out for criticism following his struggles against Arsenal and Liverpool.
Consequently, if Conte wants to implement the 3-5-2 system he successfully utilised with Italy and Juventus at Chelsea, he needs three top-quality centre-backs in his side, and I don’t see three at the club at the moment.
They’ve been linked with a move for Leonardo Bonucci in January, with Cesc Fabregas or potentially Eden Hazard going the other way, and making a move for the Juventus defender would certainly improve the Chelsea backline.
Full/wing-back options
Photo: Mark Leech
Another area of concern for Conte during his first few months in charge has been the form of Serbian international Branislav Ivanovic.
The 32-year-old has been poor for the Blues this season and, with his contract up at the end of the season, it looks like his stay in West London is coming to an end.
Bringing someone in is even more important for Conte should he play three central defenders, as he’ll need two wing-backs as part of the five across the middle.
The Blues have been linked with Atletico Bilbao’s Oscar de Marcos, a versatile midfielder who is accomplished at wing-back, and Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian, which are deals Conte may deem a must to improve his Chelsea side.
Creativity
Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.
If Fabregas and/or Hazard leave Stamford Bridge in January, attacking reinforcements would be needed to compensate for their departures.
Both men played a big part in Chelsea’s title-winning season under Jose Mourinho, with Hazard netting 15 goals and Fabregas laying on 19 assists for his team-mates.
Although neither have hit those heights so far this season, that’s a lot of creative flair that would leave the club, and Conte cannot keep relying on Diego Costa to get the goals, as there will become a time where he gets injured or suspended, or is just going through a dry spell.
Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Greizmann are on Conte’s radar, and both would provide Chelsea with the creativity and the goals that could fire them towards the top of the table.