Before the start of the season, Chelsea was viewed by many as one of the front-runners for the title following Conte’s arrival. The Italian manager is well known in the football world for his tactical masterclass amongst other things.
Seven games into the season, Chelsea doesn’t seem like a clear-cut title contender anymore. The team’s inconsistency in getting results against the bigger sides has already begun to manifest itself following losses against Liverpool and Arsenal this season.
There’s definitely room for improvement within the squad as the Blues haven’t looked steady across all areas on the pitch.
Here’s a list of three players Conte could potentially acquire when the transfer window opens once again in January;
Leonardo Bonucci
Leo Bonucci is one of the most highly rated centre-backs in the modern game having won a host of accolades with Juventus including five Serie A titles which were all won consecutively.
Despite not winning any major with the Italian national team, the commanding Centre-back has represented the Azzuri on 64 occasions including two World Cups, Two European Championships and a Confederations Cup.
Throughout his career, he’s featured more prominently in a three-man backline as a ball-playing defender due to his decent passing ability which allows him to launch attacks from the back with through balls and crosses.
He also poses a threat from set-pieces as he’s quite good in the air. His ability to read the game and stop impending attacks makes him a great candidate to play in the Premier League for Chelsea.
Having enjoyed some of his best footballing years under Antonio Conte’s guidance, the 29-year-old will surely have no problem playing under Conte, although it might take some time for him to fully adapt to playing in a back-four as Italian teams primarily make use of a three-man defensive line.
Recent speculations suggest that Chelsea is willing to sign him on a swap deal which will see Eden Hazard move to Juventus.
Antoine Griezmann
In light of rumours which suggest Antonio Conte is set to offer Eden Hazard to Juventus in a swap deal for Bonucci, the Italian tactician will surely be looking to get a like-for-like replacement for Hazard and who better to replace the proficient Belgian than Antoine Griezmann.
Griezmann has proven to be a consistent performer for both club and country ever since he progressed into football stardom. 38 international appearances have seen him score 14 goals - a 0.5 goal per game ratio.
The 25-year-old Frenchman has bagged a total of 50 goals in 81 La Liga appearances for Atletico Madrid since joining the club in 2014 from Real Sociedad.
His brilliant performances in the Spanish top flight have earned him recognition amongst the world’s elite footballers including the likes of Messi and Ronaldo.
Griezmann could potentially win a Ballon d'Or within the next two years if he remains consistent and continues to launch Atletico Madrid to great heights.
He would fit in quite nicely at Chelsea seeing as the Blues have quality midfielders who he can feed off.
Griezmann is evidently a Premier League sort of player in the sense that his usual style of play sees him engage in high-intensity battles in the opposition's half of the pitch while trying to find the back of the net.
Chelsea has been linked with Griezmann for quite some time now, and he could potentially make a switch to the London outfit – but it all depends on whether Hazard will move to Juventus during the winter window.
James Rodriguez
Since arriving at Real Madrid following a stellar world Cup campaign, the Columbia International hasn’t lived up to expectations, but he remains one of the brightest youngsters in Europe.
His ability from dead-ball situations makes him a constant threat to the opposition. He has proven his worth on the international stage, but he’s yet to settle in at club level.
Chelsea was rumoured to be interested in acquiring his services during the summer transfer window, and the London outfit could attempt to sign him in January.
It would take a hefty fee to lure him out of the Santiago Bernabeu judging by the fact that he cost Los Blancos a reported fee of £71m in 2014.
