Chelsea have moved to downplay reports that manager Antonio Conte is upset of the Blues lack of activity in the summer transfer market.
With Manchester City and United both already making signing players, Conte is said to be growing frustrated with the likes of club director Marina Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emenalo over the Premier League champion’s lack of signings so far in the transfer market.
Chelsea have yet to make a major signing for their senior squad but are chasing deals for Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Monaco’s Tiemoue Bakayoko after rivals Manchester City have already made £78m worth of signings.
Manchester United have signed Victor Lindelof and they are expected to complete a move for Alvaro Morata next week, who was one of Conte’s preferred options to come in up front.
Chelsea have been trying to downplay any rift with Conte telling the media that the transfer window officially opens on 1 July and that the Blues didn’t make their first signing last summer until 3 July when Michy Batshuayi made a £33 million move from Marseille during Euro 2016.
Despite winning the Premier League in his first season, Conte struggled in England as his family has stayed in Italy last season. He was heavily courted by Inter Milan earlier this summer, and with negotiations between Conte and Chelsea over a new contract expected to start soon, there are some indications that not everything is fine behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge.
With the added burden of playing in the Champions League next season, Chelsea are expected to have a net spend of over £100m this summer.