Antonio Conte will be determined that Chelsea’s win over Tottenham on Sunday does not paper over the cracks amid an uncertain start to the season.
The Blues’ 3-2 defeat to Burnley on the opening weekend of the season cast serious doubt over whether they will retain their title, particularly with the champions’ squad looking so thin.
There are still nine days left in the transfer window, giving them time to make a couple more additions.
And they have received a boost in their pursuit of Claudio Marchisio, who Corriere della Sera claim has decided he wants to leave Juventus.
With the World Cup just a year away, the Italy international is conscious of a need to be playing regular first team football. It’s also understood the midfielder, 31, does not enjoy a particularly good relationship with Bianconeri manager Max Allegri.
Conte regularly watches Serie A and has already brought in Antonio Rudiger from Roma this summer, as well as former Juve striker Alvaro Morata.
The Old Lady are set for yet another season of transition after selling Leonardo Bonucci – again after a falling out – and allowing Dani Alves to cut short his spell in Turin.
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