Chelsea round-up: Conte sets summer demands; Juventus midfielder linked; Hazard discusses targets

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The Sunday Times say that Antonio Conte has demanded a £200 million transfer budget to spend this summer as part of his ongoing negotiations over a new contract. The Italian is keen to revamp his squad despite their successful campaign so far this season, with more depth needed with a Champions League campaign to handle.

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With additions required out wide, in midfield and in defence, with a new striker also likely to challenge Diego Costa and another possible if the Spaniard chooses to leave, Conte could require such a large amount of money to spend just to keep his side competitive long term.

One such target could be Juventus midfielder Claudio Marchisio as he grows unhappy with life in Turin having struggled to make the number of appearances he would have liked having returned from a long term injury. With only 14 starts so far this season, Calciomercato claim that Conte could poach to offer him more regular football.

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The Italian, who has 54 caps to his name, could be an experienced option to slot into midfield alongside N’Golo Kante, with Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas both swapping that role for much of this campaign.

One man who has shone this season is Belgian forward Eden Hazard, who told the Chelsea club website that he will only be happy when the Blues are winning titles once again as he said:

“The FA Cup is something we want to win, but when you play for Chelsea it is not something you think about a lot because you want to win every game. All the games from now until the end of the season will be difficult because everyone wants to beat the team that is at the top of the league, so we have to be ready for that.  It is a key moment in the season and if we want to be champions we have to give everything. My target is to give everything and only if we win the trophies will I be relaxed.”

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Hazard was collecting his trophy for the goal of the month of the award for his effort against Arsenal which was one of many highlights this season as he has found his best form after a poor year last season.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Coppa Italia.