Antonio Conte has told Roman Abramovich he needs FIVE more signings to make Chelsea challengers again.
New boss Conte laid out his demands in a stormy two-hour summit meeting with owner Abramovich, director Marina Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emenalo.
Conte fears he will have no chance of leading Chelsea to the title if his squad is not drastically improved and wants new signings in ALL departments
The crunch hotel talks took place last Saturday night in Austria after Chelsea’s 2-0 friendly defeat to Rapid Vienna.
That was Conte’s first look at some of his squad in match action and a fresh discussion about their transfer plans followed.
Abramovich is understood to have walked away from the talks looking less than impressed, according to witnesses.
A further meeting was held the next day before Abramovich watched training.
Chelsea failed to invest sufficiently last summer and had a disastrous season, finishing 10th a season after they cruised to the league title.
Conte is desperate to avoid a repeat and with Chelsea’s rivals like Manchester United and Manchester City spending big the Italian is pressing the Blues to also splash the cash to stand any chance of regaining the title.
Chelsea have so far brought in striker £33million Michy Batshuayi and £30million midfielder N’Golo Kante but Conte wants more.
Another striker and centre-back are top of their list of priorities. Chelsea have had two bids for Spain striker Alvaro Morata turned down and are keeping tabs on Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.
In defence, Juventus Leonardo Bonucci, Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly and Roma’s Kostas Manolas are all on the radar.
Roma’s Radja Nainggolan remains a central midfield target.
Abramovich is ready to back Conte, with the Italian’s concerns about Chelsea missing out on the top four if they don’t bolster their squad shared by other Stamford Bridge officials.
But there are also fears among the Blues’ hierarchy that it will be difficult to deliver the players Conte wants with increased competition in the transfer market at home and abroad.
