Chelsea boss Antonio Conte missed out on key transfers

And he warned the club will need a clear strategy to avoid another deadline day scramble at the end of next summer’s transfer window.

Chelsea were snubbed by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fernando Llorente and Ross Barkley last week with Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta coming in at the death.

Conte admits he doesn’t know yet how his current crop matches up to last year’s title winners ahead of today’s trip to Leicester.

Asked whether he was happy with the club’s transfer dealings, he said: “This question is very difficult to answer.

“I think we have to wait until the end of the season and then we’ll see. Then I can reply very well to this question.”

Atletico Madrid have sent a delegation to speak to Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia today in a bid to finally agree a deal for Diego Costa.

Although Atletico cannot sign players until January due to a transfer embargo they hope to agree a deal in principle for the striker who is desperate to quit Chelsea.