Antonio
Conte has warned that Chelsea must bring in more players to have any chance
of successfully defending their Premier League title.
The champions have so far signed three players; Monaco midfielder Tiemoue
Bakayoko, Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata and Roma defender Antonio
Rudiger.
The Blues are interested in a string of others including Southampton
centre-back Virgil van Dijk, Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Leicester
midfielder Danny Drinkwater and Valencia right-back Joao Cancelo.
Asked if it will be hard to retain the title this season without making more
signings, Conte told
Sky Sports Premier League: "Yes, for sure.
This league is not easy. Six teams are very strong and you must be prepared.
"I hope to be able to improve our squad. The transfer market is not
finished. We want to be competitive and we want to fight for the title
again. The club knows my priorities.
"It's a great challenge for us to try and retain the title, but we are
working hard."
One player whose future at Stamford Bridge is in doubt is striker Diego
Costa, but Conte remained tight-lipped on whether the Spain international
will still be at the club next season.
"The way I think about Costa is the same," he said on the Premier League
launch show. "I think I was very clear; it's not important to repeat it."
The Blues did allow midfielder Nemanja Matic to join rivals Manchester
United this summer, a departure Conte described as "a great loss".
"Matic knows very well what I think about him," he said. "The importance for
me about this player, who is a really good player, a top player, very
important for our team, but sometimes you must accept this crazy transfer
market.
"And sometimes you must accept different decisions. But he is a great loss
for us."
Chelsea also spent a club record £70m to sign Morata this summer and Conte
has revealed the striker is in contention to start his first Premier League
game at home to Burnley on Saturday.
"Alvaro is a really good player, he's still young despite having a lot of
experience," he said.
"He needs to play regularly, he's a player I trust a lot. I think he has
good prospects for Chelsea - for now and the future.
"Will he start this weekend? He's working very well and starting to
understand or idea of football."
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