Conte: Matic departure 'a great loss for us'

With just three sleeps left before Chelsea kicks off its title defence by welcoming Burnley to Stamford Bridge, Blues boss Antonio Conte has called Nemanja Matic's move to Manchester United "a great loss."

It begs the question: Why sell the towering Serbian ball-stopper, especially to a Premier League rival?

For Conte, central midfield is just one of a few areas of concern for the likable Italian gaffer, and despite already spending £130 million between Tiemoue Bakayoko, Alvaro Morata, and Antonio Rudiger, the manager reckons reinforcements are needed to remain competitive.

"Yes, for sure. This league is not easy. Six teams are very strong and you must be prepared," Conte told Sky Sports when asked about further signings.

"I hope to be able to improve our squad. The transfer market is not finished. We want to be competitive and we want to fight for the title again. The club knows my priorities."

With PFA Player of the Year N'Golo Kante, Cesc Fabregas, and Bakayoko the only central midfielders in the first-team squad, Conte rues Matic's exit, and hints the decision was beyond his control.

"Matic knows very well what I think about him," Conte added. "The importance for me about this player, who is a really good player, a top player, very important for our team, but sometimes you must accept this crazy transfer market.

"And sometimes you must accept different decisions. But he is a great loss for us."

Sans Matic, the pressure is on former Monaco star Bakayoko to step in to pair with fellow French international Kante, and while Conte would prefer to ease the robust ball-stopper into Premier League life, that option no longer exists.

"Bakayoko is a good signing for us. He is very young. My idea was to give Bakayoko the right time to adapt in this league behind Matic. But now after the sale of Matic, we need to try to accelerate this process for Bakayoko after his injury.

"We have Cesc Fabregas and we are trying to find another midfielder. Because now we have only three midfielders and we need another midfielder."