Chelsea manager Antonio Conte wants five more signings this summer

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has demanded that the Blues should sign five more players if they have to challenge for the title this season. The London based club finished last season in 10th spot, following a Premier League winning campaign in 2014/15, which saw manager Jose Mourinho being sacked.

The Mirror reported that Conte was in discussion with the Chelsea board about his requirements following their 2-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna in a pre-season friendly. The Blues play Liverpool in the US next and Conte is adamant that they need improvements across the length of the pitch if they have to go into the season opener in better shape.

The Blues have made two signings thus far in the window in the form of Michy Batshuayi and N'Golo Kante but are in the market for atleast one more striker and a centre-back. Chelsea are heavily invested in the signing of Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid, while they have also been linked with a move for Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly to shore up their back four.

Owner Roman Abramovich is ready to back the manager as it is widely believed among the coaching staff that without new inflexion of quality, it will be difficult for the club to qualify for the top four, let alone with the league. Conte joined the Blues only recently following his commitments with the Italy national team in the Euros, where they crashed out to Germany in the quarter-finals.

The manager revealed that he has already started the work with the team and will instil his philosophy in the squad as the season progresses. The Blues will face competition from the likes of Manchester City and Manchester United, who are looking to go big by heavily investing in the market.

"We've started to work on different aspects and I think every manager has their own method, their own philosophy of football, their own idea of football. I want to transfer my ideas to the players. I think it is important to work on the different aspects, the tactical aspect, technique and the physical aspect," Conte said in his first press conference.

"Also on the mentality to become strong and to help us to overcome the difficulties during the training sessions or during the games. If we are able to transfer our passion during the game, our football to the fans, I think that this is a great victory for me, for the players and the club."