5 reasons why Chelsea has struggled this season

#2 A Bad Summer Transfer Window

Davide Zappacosta has been a deadline day signing to provide cover at right back

If you observed closely, the one recurring theme in most of Conte's press talks has revolved around an imperfect summer transfer window.

Chelsea fans still have fresh memories of waking up to very little or no movement in transfer activity from the club, while fellow contenders made quick and decisive purchases.

Ever since the antics of Costa, the club searched for an able replacement to lead the attacking line. For a while, Romelu Lukaku seemed destined to come back to the club after yet another impressive season in the top flight. but after what seemed like an elaborate courtship display between Lukaku, Manchester United and Chelsea, the Belgian decided to move to Old Trafford.

The club had to scramble to get another striker's transfer. Regardless of who they were going to buy next, this showed that the club was not operating as it has done in the past.

This became a window of opportunity for the media to spin countless stories on the dynamics between the owner, board and the manager.

Chelsea left it late in the transfer window as a result of not getting their first choice players and this hurt the team in many ways.

They ended up having to settle for multiple players in already covered positions like central midfield and given the time when they joined, quite a number of the new players are still bedding in.

It must be frustrating for Conte as he could have followed up last season with an equally good if not better performance this season but he had to work with his hands tied

For a manager that left a legendary Juventus team because of a lack of funds and support from the board, it is a similar situation once again which isn't ideal both for him and the club as they seemed to be a great match just last season.