Date: 11th August 2017 at 6:00pm
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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte believes the loss of the likes of captain John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel over the past year means the foundations of the squad need to be strengthened before the end of the transfer window.

Interviewed by the BBC (quotes via Gazzetta Dello Sport), the Italian emphasised caution about the Blues being overzealous in the transfer market. The Chelsea boss does not want to increase squad numbers without bringing in players of sufficient quality:

“We need to create again a complete squad because we’ve lost players like Ivanovic, Mikel and Terry; a lot of old players that create the base [of the team]… Also we sold Matic and we have the Costa situation but I think it is not right to spend money only to spend money. It’s right to spend money if you need to spend money.

Conte is said to be after at least four more signings before the end of the transfer window. Two wing backs, a central midfielder and a backup striker are the positions that have been touted as being the priority for the Blues. With just three weeks until deadline day though, it will be a challenge to bring in all the players before the window closes.

The lack of strength in depth is certainly a concern for Conte, especially with the added games in the Champions League this season. He will be hoping that the four signings that have already been made this summer all prove good business.

 

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