Tension continues to rise at Stamford Bridge as Antonio Conte and Chelsea board ‘at odds over transfer targets’

Tensions are reportedly rising between Chelsea manager Antonio Conte and the club’s board due to this summer’s transfer activity.

The defending Premier League champions have been criticised for allowing Nemanja Matic to join rivals Manchester United, while the saga over Diego Costa‘s future continues.

The club have recruited Antonio Rudiger, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Alvaro Morata for a combined £124m, but it has been suggested that there have been disputes regarding other targets.

According to The Times, Conte is more concerned with shaping a squad that is capable of winning silverware this season and in the forthcoming campaigns, while Chelsea’s hierarchy are looking more to the future.

The report claims that the powers that be at Stamford Bridge are reluctant to spend big money on an older player that will have little resale value, which is why deals for Alex Sandro and Virgil van Dijk – both 26 – have stalled.

The board are also reportedly unhappy that Conte, who took over as manager last year, has not given many of the club’s academy players a chance at first-team level.

The Blues got their league campaign off to the worst possible start on Saturday when they were beaten 3-2 by Burnley.