Chelsea have had an indifferent start to the 2016/2017 Premier League campaign losing two of its first seven games. The Blues currently sit seventh on the log table, five points behind league leaders. The four time Premier League winners had a dismal campaign last season which saw them finish 10th and with a change in the managerial department during the summer break, many were hoping to see a different Chelsea side this time around. Antonio Conte took over the reigns at the club in July and immediately got to work in order to improve the team. However, Judging from the first seven games of this season, one could notice that some of the problems that were obvious on the pitch last season are still there. It now seems it's more likely a problem of bad personnel's than tactics. With the January transfer window fast approaching, we take a look at three positions Antonio Conte will have to strengthen in order to avoid a repeat of last season. 1) Centre midfield. Conte has utilised a three man midfield for the most part of his managerial career, the Italian is a big fan of hard working midfielders who can help the team without the ball, no wonder he prefers Nemanja Matic to Cesc Fabregas. However, Matic has not been at his best for the past two seasons, he is yet to impress this season and i think he is still in the team because of lack of options available to the boss. I expect Chelsea to sign a centre midfielder who fits into Conte' plan in the winter transfer window. Chelsea tried to sign Roma's Radja Naigollan in the summer transfer window but failed. They will now have to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcement as the Belgian has signed a new contract at Roma. 2) Centre defense: One could argue that Chelsea have a lot of centre defenders in the team but taking a good look at them, you would see the lack of quality at the back. Chelsea's performances this season have been characterized by defensive errors and to put an end to that, Conte will need to dip into the club's coffers and spend big on a quality defender in January. Reports claim the club is preparing a world record bid forJuventus' Leonardo Bonucci. 3) Attacking midfield: Chelsea have largely relied on Eden Hazard for creativity this season. Most times, when the Belgian is not at his best, the team struggles and that has to change if Conte wants to challenge for the title. Other players tasked to provide creativity in the team are Fabregas and Oscar. The former appears not to fit in Conte's plan while the latter is inconsistent at best. Chelsea will do well to sign a creative player like Liverpool's Phillipe Coutinho who would add creative spark to the team and take the burden off Hazard. If Chelsea were to avoid a repeat of last season, they must find a suitable defender, a solid centre midfielder and a quality playmaker. Roman Abramovich is reportedly prepared to back the manager in the transfer market and that is a good sign that the club is determined to get back to the top of the league?
Do you agree?
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