Chelsea news: Conte will be disappointed by not signing Van Dijk and Lukaku - journalist

That is the view of Guardian journalist Dominic Fifield, who reckons Conte’s tension with the Chelsea hierarchy ‘will continue to simmer’ as a result of missing out on his top targets. 

Van Dijk, 26, has been a shining light for Southampton over the past two years and was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League’s top clubs this summer. 

Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City were all said to be interested in bringing him to the club to bolster their defensive ranks. 

However, Southampton fended off their interest despite the player himself handing in a transfer request earlier in the summer. 

Antonio Conte also missed out on Romelu Lukaku, who looked destined for a return to Stamford Bridge, with rivals Manchester United hijacking their move for him. 

But Fifield reckons Conte will be one of the most frustrated managers in this transfer window when it comes to missing out on his top targets.

Speaking on Sky Sports' Sunday Supplement show, he said: "I think the hierarchy will look back and think: 'We've not had a bad window'. 

“They've spent £180m and recouped a fair chunk, and their squad is perhaps marginally stronger than in May.

"But I think Conte wanted it to be a lot stronger and he'll be disappointed that they haven't got a Virgil Van Dijk or a [Romelu] Lukaku in. Alex Sandro as well. 

“He wanted all these players, and that level of tension that's been there all summer will continue to simmer."

Up next for Chelsea is a clash with Leicester at the King Power Stadium on September 9 (3:00pm).