Antonio Conte has a thin-looking squad at present (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea legend Pat Nevin believes his old club look a little short going into the new season due to injuries and after letting Nemanja Matic and so many other players leave.

The Serbia international was confirmed as a Manchester United player this week, in what looks a potentially risky move with an in-form player of last season strengthening a major title rival.

Matic’s sale has followed the departures of John Terry, Asmir Begovic, Nathan Ake, Nathaniel Chalobah as well as a number of other players on loan.

Diego Costa is also expected to leave in the coming weeks after being told by Conte that he’s not in his plans for this season, and Nevin is concerned about the shape of the squad at present.

Chelsea have made some big signings in Antonio Rudiger, Alvaro Morata and Tiemoue Bakayoko, but the latter is currently out injured along with key attacking pair Eden Hazard and Pedro.

‘With JT and Nathan Ake having left the club, Kurt Zouma away for the time being, and only the defensive cover of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen coming in, then it probably does look like we are at least one light in defence, especially with the extra Champions League games coming up this season,’ Nevin wrote in his column on Chelsea’s official site.

‘With the unavailability of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Eden Hazard and Pedro right now, then even going further forward in the team it isn’t absolutely sorted as the season’s opening draws near. Nemanja Matic has now gone, so in short there is a bit of work to be done before everything is in place.

‘I suspect this is Antonio’s main consideration above everything else; making sure that the squad is big enough and settled enough in time.

Nemanja Matic was sold to Manchester United this week (Picture: Getty)
Tiemoue Bakayoko, Matic’s replacement, is currently out injured (Picture: Getty)

‘With transfer brinkmanship a fact of life in the game, you just have to manage it somehow even if it is not perfect.

‘Everyone would like to get the entire squad together early but there is no doubt that there is a huge premium to be paid on the price if you try to do it that way.’

Conte is thought to have had a long list of targets for Chelsea to target this summer, with moves for the likes of Alex Sandro and Virgil van Dijk not coming off.

Chelsea 2017/18 transfers

IN
Antonio Rudiger
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Willy Caballero
Alvaro Morata

OUT
John Terry
Asmir Begovic
Dominic Solanke
Juan Cuadrado
Nathan Ake
Nathaniel Chalobah
Bertrand Traore
Christian Atsu
Nemanja Matic

The Blues don’t look in top form at present after back-to-back pre-season defeats to Bayern Munich and Inter Milan ahead of their Community Shield clash with Arsenal this weekend.

MORE : Arsenal vs Chelsea: Community Shield kick off time changed

MORE : Diego Simeone provides update on Diego Costa transfer