Chelsea have made a great start under Antonio Conte, in first ever season in the English league as they are 11 points clear of the 2nd placed Tottenham Hotspur in the league table. With just around 10 games to go. They have all but secured qualification for the elite European competition; the Champions League and Conte would already be preparing for life next season.
A few positions in the squad need to be addressed this summer and the Italian manager might be working on few names in the transfer market. The Blues already have a talented squad at their disposal this season. But who will make the cut next season? Here is a predicted lineup for Chelsea including all their potential transfer targets for the next season:
Defence:
Belgian shot-stopper Thibaut Courtois should keep his place in the first team next season as he is without a doubt one of the most talented goalkeepers in the world. Conte should also stick with his extremely productive 3-4-3 system and keep Cesar Azpilicueta, who is one of the most consistent defenders for Chelsea on the right side of the back-3. David Luiz has done a wonderful job this season as a sweeper and though he is a liability at times, he has been too strong to be omitted from the first team.
Gary Cahill has completed the backline for Chelsea on the left this season but it is hard to see the English defender keep his place in the first team. Italian star Leonardo Bonucci has been high on the wishlist for Conte and he could be the man to make this Chelsea defence stronger. Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill should be the backups whenever required.
Midfield:
Victor Moses has just signed a new contract with the club and he should be the first choice at the right-hand side of the midfield 4 even if Conte spends on a wing-back in the summer. N’Golo Kante has been one of the best players in the Premier League in the past two seasons and would surely be a regular starter for Conte next season as well. However, neither Nemanja Matic nor Cesc Fabregas could be in the first team come the start of the next season at the Bridge.
PSG superstar Marco Verratti would be the best option for Conte as the Italian midfielder is a mix of defensive and offensive abilities of Matic and Fabregas. He has been linked with a move to London and the prospect of Verratti and Kante in midfield would be unbelievable. Marcos Alonso joined the club last summer and has adjusted well to his role at the club. There is very little reason for him to lose his place in the side.
Attack:
Belgian star Eden Hazard has been the star turn in this Chelsea line-up and it is really hard to see Conte selling Hazard in the summer. He would be a regular starter as a part of the front three for Chelsea. Spanish winger Pedro and Brazilian star Willian have both been excellent this season but Conte might be tempted to spend big on one Alvaro Morata, who can make this side even fluid in attack.
Conte loves to play two up front which will give Costa and Morata a chance to play alongside each other in a front two with Hazard playing just in behind. The Italian can also opt to use Morata in a slightly wider role, helping him find space and isolate defenders. Willian and Pedro should stay at the club as able deputies.