Chelsea to back Antonio Conte this summer with FOUR key signings and a new contract.

According to reports, Antonio Conte has been promised funds to make FOUR key player signings this summer in addition to signing a new extended contract as the club starts planning for life beyond this season.

There are many conflicting reports surrounding the relationship between Antonio Conte and the Chelsea board with recent comment pinpointing differing opinion of Conte to that of Roman Abramovich and claiming that there is a breakdown in communication. It's safe to say that this is total rubbish as we focus on the article published in The London Evening Standard and Chelsea's backing of the Italian that has taken the Premier League by storm.

It's believed that Conte wants at least one centre-half, a full back, a midfielder and a striker as he looks to strengthen our squad as we prepare to re-enter the Champions League next season.

As we have seen, there is already talk of a possible £57-£70m move for Romelu Lukaku on the horizon having identified the Belgian as a target for next season. What of plans for a full back? What was the point of asking Nathan Ake to return to the club if we are still looking to sign cover?

Some will argue that the tactical change that Conte has made to include wing-backs with Cesar Azpilicueta now considered as a centre half would demand an addition to the squad because we lack cover. There are reports that Victor Moses is due to miss Stoke on Saturday because of the knock he picked up against Manchester United on Monday. Ake and Pedro are being considered as replacements with the Spaniard tipped to start having impressed in performances in that position earlier in the FA Cup this season. It's clear that we need at least one more full back in addition to Ake.

Leonardo Bonucci remains a target for Antonio Conte as he looks to strengthen the options he has available at the back. A reported fall-out at Juventus between player and manager now looks to have been resolved and if we are honest, any possible deal now looks unlikely as Chelsea continue to be linked with a number of players in that position.

I personally still believe that Andreas Christensen is someone earmarked by the club to come back from loan and take his place in the first team squad having made a substantial impression in the Bundesliga. Whether or not the manager wants to add one more defender into the squad alongside Christensen is unclear.

With the departures of John Mikel Obi and Oscar recently, Chelsea need to re-enforce their midfield for next season. Many of you will highlight the fact that we already have natural replacements in the squad in Nathaniel Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek but it's important to consider Lewis Baker who continues to make headlines over in Holland.

However, experience could hold the key as we look to take our place in European's top competition next year with the likes of Marco Veratti and others being linked with a move to Chelsea. Your guess is as good as mine at this point but expect plenty of names to be linked with a possible move to the Bridge next year between now and summer.

As for Antonio Conte's new contract? It's 100% going to happen despite reported interest from Inter Milan. The passionate Italian has made his intentions clear with news that his family is to move to London to join him at the end of the season as they look to make the nations capital their home.

After reports that Chelsea missed out on one or two of their top targets last summer, you would have to imagine that after the impact he has had at Chelsea this year, Conte holds much more influence at the club with this report stating that the club is prepared to back him this time around.

I genuinely have the feeling that this is only the start of something under Conte at Chelsea. As I have said many times on here, if we win the Premier League this season he will NOT receive the full credit that he deserves because we have no European commitments this season. He will only be judged next season and beyond as we re-enter the Champions League as people will wait and see if he is able to repeat what many people believe would happen this season (although being a Chelsea fan, we understand not to celebrate until it's over!).

That's why the Antonio Conte and the club are preparing for life beyond this season. Three summers ago Chelsea struck early in the window to sign Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa and we could see the same deals being struck as quickly as possible this time around.