5 challenges that Antonio Conte must overcome to retain the title next season

Modified Jul 19, 2017 09:45 GMT

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte celebrates at the end of the Premier League match between Chelsea and Watford at Stamford Bridge on May 15, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) — To be, or not to be

#3 The advances of Real Madrid

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 21: Eden Hazard of Chelsea celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on May 21, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) — Eden Hazard is the best player in the Premier League, and it isn’t close

Florentino Perez loves to make a statement, and several reports seem to indicate that he has his heart set on landing two of Chelsea’s most valuable assets in Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois. If the Belgians depart for Spanish shores, the West Londoners’ title hopes will be all but dead, and they will be forced to enter another rebuilding phase of sorts.

Replacements such as James Rodriguez and Jan Oblak are ripe for the picking, but Antonio Conte has stumbled upon a treasure chest with this team, and a diluted version of the 16/17 vintage cannot dream of retaining the title against formidable opposition.

Edited by Staff Editor