Antonio Conte will be looking to put his own stamp on the Chelsea squad when he officially takes over this summer.

The Blues made a diabolical defence of their Premier League title last season as they were out of the running before Christmas and facing a relegation battle.

Jose Mourinho paid the price for the club’s terrible form as he was given the boot by Roman Abramovich in December and now looks set to join Manchester United.

Interim boss Guus Hiddink steered the club away from the prospect of dropping into the Championship but Chelsea could only limp towards the finish line.

Having under-performed so badly this term, several Stamford Bridge stars could be following Mourinho out the door while new blood is needed to rejuvenate the team.

It could be the busiest summer transfer window in years with Conte preparing to splash the cash in order to restore the west Londoners to the upper echelons of English football.

Let’s take a look at how events could play out at the Bridge in the coming months.

Heading for the exit

Matic rejoined Chelsea in 2014
Reunion with Jose Mourinho? Nemanja Matic rejoined Chelsea in 2014

Hiddink is the first name on the list of departures as the Dutchman steps down as manager to make way for the incoming Conte.

Chelsea’s strikeforce requires major surgery and there will be casualties after a shot-shy season in front of goal.

Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao’s embarrassing loans will not be renewed after the once great European forces looked shadows of their former selves in west London.

Frenchman Loic Remy is also likely to go and would only remain at the Bridge as a third or fourth choice option under Conte.

Baba Rahman was a big-money summer acquisition from the Bundesliga but failed to live up to his reputation and is wanted by clubs in Turkey.

John Obi Mikel was brought out of the wilderness by Hiddink in the second half of the season but the Nigerian will not accept another stint on the bench.

Nemanja Matic’s body language has indicated his time at Chelsea is coming to an end and could be one of Mourinho’s first signings as United manager.

Who is staying?

John Terry’s contract renewal was arguably the most important signing Chelsea will make this summer.

The emotional scenes as the captain, leader, legend took to the field at the end of term to address the crowd emphasised the incredible bond between Terry and the fans.

Conte gave his seal of approval to the offer for the skipper and will hope Terry can help keep the lines of communication open between the players and the management.

Eden Hazard looked a certainty to quit the club just a few months ago, with Real Madrid eager to snap up 2015’s Player of the Year, but things change quickly in football.

Having returned to fitness, the Belgian finished the season by ending Tottenham’s title dream and now heads to the European Championships in confident mood.

Branislav Ivanovic had been touted as a target for Roma but signed a new one-year contract to commit his immediate future to the club.

Uncertain futures

Wanted by Real Madrid: Thibaut Courtois of Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois is very much on Real Madrid’s radar and is another Chelsea player who cannot look back fondly on last season.

Chelsea put their faith in Courtois by allowing Petr Cech to join Arsenal last summer but an injury-hit, below-par campaign was not what they expected from their chosen one.

His failure to distance himself from the Madrid rumours only fuelled the speculation linking him with a return to Spain and angered the Blues faithful.

Courtois played in Madrid on loan at Atletico, where he first came across Diego Costa, and the fiery striker also continues to be targeted by his former club and Chinese sides.

Juventus have sounded out Chelsea over a move for Oscar and also want to keep hold of Juan Cuadrado after the Colombian’s successful loan stint.

Who is coming in?

Conte has a long summer shopping list and has already submitted a list of his preferred options to the board.

The new boss has been given the title of head coach rather than manager and will not have total control over transfers.

He is desperate to sign another striker though to ease the burden on Costa as Chelsea’s other three strikers leave the Bridge.

Romelu Lukaku is being considered for a return while Gonzalo Higuain and Alvaro Morata are also on the hitlist.

Roma’s tenacious midfielder Radja Nainggolan will replace Matic as the club’s midfield enforcer and is already understood to have agreed a deal in principle.

Conte would also like to raid his former club Juventus for defensive stalwart Leonardo Bonucci while Greek international Kostas Manolas is another candidate at the back.

Video: Antonio Conte's rumoured Chelsea summer shopping list

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