You may have read on these pages yesterday our concerns that Chelsea's stuttering transfer window might lead to another season of massive underachievement in West London.
The Blues have invested in midfield dynamo N'Golo Kante and Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi but have entered the season with just four senior defenders on their books and this comes in stark contrast to the millions spent on both sides of Manchester to bolster their squads as they set themselves up for an attempt to wrestle the title away from Leicester City.
So much of Chelsea's hopes this season will depend on whether the the likes of Eden Hazard and Diego Costa maintain their form throughout the entirety of the season but, with last season's defensive frailties still fresh in the memory, Antonio Conte still has some concerns as Chelsea head into their third fixture of the season this weekend.
WATCH: Antonio Conte fears missing out on @ChelseaFC's signing targets: https://t.co/2AJL2Q6pFq #SSNHQ https://t.co/7KNecQskrT
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) August 26, 2016
In today's press conference, the Italian elaborated on his side's difficulties to plug the gaps which cost the side so dearly last season.
I must be honest, I think we'll have a problem to reach our targets. I hope, through this transfer market, to improve the squad but we understand our targets are very difficult to reach. I think the most important thing is to work to improve the squad and improve your players. You know that when you start the season it is already very tough.
It's important to have many players to face these situations, but this market is very crazy and we are seeing that it's very difficult to reach our targets.
I've been working with these players for only 40 days and we know we can improve a lot, but we also know it's important to have the right number of players in the squad to face all the other teams.
We know Chelsea is a great team and a great team must fight to the end for the title. But also we know last season the players were 10th. Not fourth, fifth or sixth, 10th! Don't forget this.
Chelsea have been linked with practically every top defender in Europe over the summer months, with the rumours around Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli and AC Milan's Alessio Romagnoli being particularly strong. Full backs Ricardo Rodriguez, Stephan Lichsteiner and Marcos Alonso are also being linked and you get the sense from Chelsea fans that failure to secure at least two more defensive targets could cost potentially cost the club dearly should they pick up a few injuries or suspensions between now and the new year.
