Chelsea’s transfer business over the past year has left a lot to be desired. Last summer Petr Cech and Didier Drogba – who may not have been the players they once were but remained huge influences in the dressing room – departed. Felipe Luis also returned to Atletico Madrid after barely getting a look in under Jose Mourinho while Ramires left for China in January.
In came the likes of Falcao (let’s not even get into that), Papy Djilobodji (who managed just one appearance), Baba Rahman (youthful but very inconsistent), Pedro (experienced yet inconsistent) and Asmir Begovic (who turned out to be a success but largely because he made more appearances then perhaps anybody expected). Alexander Pato joined in January on loan but did little to convince his signing should be made permanent.
This poor business meant Chelsea’s squad was threadbare. They lacked strength in depth. So as soon as the likes of Eden Hazard, Fabregas, Diego Costa, Matic and Branislav Ivanovic spectacularly lost form, there was nobody to replace them in the side. Chelsea and Mourinho suffered hugely as a result.
Conte must make sure that can’t happen again. If key players lose form, others must be ready to step up and take their place. The Blues have, unsurprisingly, reportedly been looking at a host of players from Serie A. Conte knows the market well and he knows he must beef up his squad.
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