Chelsea have reportedly set Antonio Conte a minimum target of securing Champions League qualification next season.
The Italy manager will officially take over at Stamford Bridge after finishing his international duties with his country at Euro 2016.
Conte has been wowing Blues supporters with his tactical nous and touchline theatrics in France this summer on his way to reaching the quarter-finals.
He has got the Italian players well-drilled and playing as a unit, something he will need to do with his new club next term after their dismal 2015-16 campaign.
Beginning last season as champions, Chelsea surrendered their title with a whimper and limped to an embarrassing 10th-placed finish in the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho lost control of the situation and paid the price with his job while Guus Hiddink could not claw back the lost ground to the European places.
Incoming boss Conte will have no excuses with no distractions and the Daily Mail claims Roman Abramovich will pull the trigger again if he does not make the top four
The report in the Mail says Stamford Bridge officials have informed Conte they expect Chelsea to remain in the mix for the title going into the final straight.
However, they claim that the Italy boss has been told that a top-four finish is the priority as he begins to rebuild the squad in west London.
Despite admitting that changes are needed, the Blues hierarchy is convinced that wholesale changes are not necessary to make the team competitive again.
Goalscoring was a problem last term though and has been identified as the main area for improvement.
Alvaro Morata, Edinson Cavani, Gonzalo Higuain and Romelu Lukaku are all being considered as options as Loic Remy and Alexandre Pato prepare to depart.
Midfield destroyer Radja Nainggolan is also high on the club’s wanted list but Roma after driving a hard bargain for the Belgian star this summer.
Leading Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport claims a third bid of €37million has been rejected as they stand firm despite Chelsea’s relentless pursuit of their asset.
Read More: Why Antonio Conte will be Chelsea's most important signing this summer
