Premier League 2016-17: Chelsea preview and title chances

Where will Antonio Conte take Chelsea to this season after a huge success with the Italy national team, especially in the Euro 2016 in France this summer? The charismatic and animated Italian football coach inspired his army to bag wins over Belgium and Spain in the European Championships but unfortunately couldn't go past defending world champions Germany in the competition.

Nevertheless, Conte has made a mark. A mark that will no doubt help Chelsea in regaining their lost form. The Blues may have come tenth last season in the Premier League season, but, to be honest, the 2014-15 champions had a torrid season. Jose Mourinho, who started off the season as the manager of the side, had to be relieved of his duties midway, after he failed to give his side anything close to a bright start. 

To part ways with an illustrious manager like that of Mourinho is not an easy task but the shadow of misfortune that made the Premier League side remain on the 15th spot in the league table after ten games in the first half of the season forced the club to say goodbye to the Portuguese coach.

The appointment of Guus Hiddink as the interim manager thereafter came as a blessing in disguise. Under the former South Korea and Russia national team manager, the same woeful Chelsea side lost just thrice in the English league and somehow still managed to save their faces.

The importance of continuing that momentum now is more necessary than ever and Conte, as is expected, will be hell-bent on transforming the Chelsea team to reach greater heights.

Chelsea preseason 2016-17

The Blues didn't have a very bad pre-season actually this time around and it remains to be seen whether they can take forward that performance to the main season. The entire team has performed as a unit and praises were in store especially for the likes of Loic Remy, Bertrand Traore and Pedro Rodriguez.

New additions

N'Golo Kante - Conte came and picked up one of the most stand out players of previous season's Premier League as one of his key signings. The former Leicester City player has the stamina and the vision that Chelsea needed from a midfielder for a long time.

Michy Batshuayi - The Belgian wonder-kid is expected to make heads turn in the Premier League this time around and if the Blues can get their hands on one more solid striker before the end of the summer transfer window, expect Conte's side to be a legit contender for the title.

Title chances

With Conte at helm, Chelsea will be expected to get a top four finish in the Premier League this time around and if the players can gel and fire up from the front, they might even turn out as major challengers to Manchester City and Manchester United in the title hunt.