Antonio Conte has overseen an incredible transformation at Stamford Bridge, which has seen his Chelsea team go from being defensively shambolic to the summit of the Premier League.

The Blues won their first three league games under their new boss, but suffered disappointing defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal in September, with the manner of the defeats particularly scrutinised by fans and pundits alike.

Nonetheless, Conte switched to a back three, and Chelsea have since reaped the dividends by winning six successive league games, and not conceding a goal in any of them.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Consequently, Chelsea have risen to the top of the Premier League at the expense of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who only managed a draw at Southampton at the weekend, while Conte’s Blues won at Middlesbrough on Sunday.

No European commitments is going to seriously benefit a reborn Chelsea team as the season progresses, and there is now genuine optimism among Blues fans that they can regain the Premier League title.

However, some still feel that they need more to sustain a title challenge, so here are TWO La Liga stars who Conte should try and snap up in January…

Steven N’Zonzi

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The former Stoke man Steven N’Zonzi has been in sensational form since making a £7 million move to Sevilla in 2015.

It was clear from his three years with the Potters that the 27-year-old had all the hallmarks of an excellent midfielder, and he has proved that during his time in Spain, helping them win the Europa League in his first season at the club.

Unsurprisingly, N’Zonzi’s brilliant displays in the Sevilla midfield has alerted several top European clubs, and it’s a move Chelsea should attempt in January ahead of the likes of Barcelona and Juventus.

It would give manager Conte another option in the middle of the park and, given that Cesc Fabregas could leave the club in January, Chelsea may need another man in that midfield.

N’Zonzi could be that man.

James Rodriguez

Photo: Offside / Marca

Despite a decent first season at Real Madrid, James Rodriguez hasn’t hit the heights of those 2014 World Cup displays for Colombia in the last few seasons at the Bernabeu.

The 25-year-old netted just eight times last time around, and has subsequently seen his game time reduced as the likes of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Karim Benzema continue banging in the goals.

It has been a similar story so far this season, with just six La Liga appearances yielding one goal, and thus the Colombian captain looks set to leave the Spanish capital in the near future.

Chelsea reportedly tried to sign him in the summer window but no move materialised, yet he’s a player any team in the Premier League would benefit from having, such is his quality in the final third.

Juventus are also interested in Rodriguez, so Conte should act fast to bring the attacker to Stamford Bridge.