Roman Abramovich will give Antonio Conte funds to freshen up the squad at Stamford Bridge next season.

The Italian will replace outgoing boss Guus Hiddink in west London this summer after leading out his country at Euro 2016 in France.

Conte is already drawing up a list of transfer targets in an attempt to restore the Blues to the summit of English football.

However, new Premier League champions Leicester City have proven you don’t have to spend silly money to achieve success.

The Foxes shocked the football world by storming to the title with bargain buys and former non-league striker Jamie Vardy banging in the goals.

You can’t get more of a bargain than a freebie and there’s plenty of out-of contract stars Chelsea can snap up for nothing in July - unless they agree terms in the meantime.

Here’s a look at which players Conte could take a punt on this summer.

Arsenal

Mathieu Flamini
Mathieu Flamini

Mathieu Flamini (Midfielder)

32-year-old has played 16 times this season. With a CV that includes spells at Milan, Marseille and Arsenal (twice), he won’t be short of offers.

Mikel Arteta (Midfielder)

Eight games this season for the classy midfielder. A veteran he may be at 34, but he will think there’s plenty left in the tank.

Tomás Rosicky (Midfielder)

Injuries have hampered his impact in recent years. The 35-year-old is unlikely to get another offer at Arsenal, but obviously has talent. Nicknamed ‘the Little Mozart’, he would surely have played more than once this year if he hadn’t had injuries problems.

Aston Villa

Kieran Richardson (Defender)

Versatile former Sunderland man has played only seven times for Aston Villa this season. The 31-year-old was linked with a move to the Black Cats in January.

Charles N’Zogbia (Midfielder)

Where did it all go wrong? Thrust forward as one of the best young players of his generation, he’ll now be looking for a new club in the summer having failed to offer Villa anything like value for money over his five-year contract. No doubt some club will think him worth a gamble.

Bournemouth

Artur Boruc (Goalkeeper)

Veteran goalkeeper has been up and down this season and will likely leave the Cherries at the end of the season. At 35, he’s still got plenty of gas left in the tank.

Sylvain Distin (Defender)

Former Newcastle defender has played 12 times for the Cherries in their first season in the Premier League. Might be a target for teams coming into the top flight who need some Premier League experience.

Stéphane Zubar (Defender)

The 29-year-old is one of the survivors of Bournemouth’s journey from League One. Last played for York, he will probably drop down the leagues.

Crystal Palace

Williams battles with Adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor

Emmanuel Adebayor (Striker)

Mercurial forward was picked up by Alan Pardew for nothing in January. An incredible talent on his day but also infuriatingly inconsistent.

Adrian Mariappa (Defender)

Jamaica defender nearly signed for Newcastle when they were in the Championship. Now he’s heading for the free agent market. At 29, he’s only featured twice for Palace this season.

Damien Delaney (Defender)

The 34-year-old has been a regular for Pardew’s Eagles this season. Has made over 500 career appearances.

Marouane Chamakh (Striker)

The 32-year-old former Arsenal striker has hardly been prolific at Selhurst Park. 7 goals in 59 appearances – and none this season – are the reason he will be a free agent this summer.

Brede Hangeland (Defender)

Injury has left the big defender on the sidelines for most of the season.

Julian Speroni (Goalkeeper)

38-year-old is an Eagles veteran but his contract is up at the end of the season. Linked with an emergency loan move to Newcastle when Tim Krul was first injured – but Rob Elliot stepped up to the plate.

Paddy McCarthy (Midfielder)

32-year-old has not played this season due to injury. Unlikely to get another deal at Selhurst Park. Last played for Bolton in the Championship.

Everton

Steven Pienaar

Darron Gibson (Midfielder)

Central midfielder was touted for big things when he emerged at Manchester United but it has been up and down ever since. Hard-working but little invention from Gibson.

Tony Hibbert (Defender)

An injury-plagued campaign and he has barely figured recently.

Steven Pienaar (Left-wing)

The South African is in a contract dispute with Everton. Has been linked with a move back to Ajax.

Felipe Mattioni (Defender)

The 27-year-old Brazilian is on loan at Doncaster Rovers and won’t get a new deal at Goodison Park.

Leon Osman (Midfielder)

Long-serving veteran midfielder is another who may leave Goodison Park at the end of the campaign. Played for England but can’t get in the Everton side at the moment.

Leicester City

Mark Schwarzer (Goalkeeper)

Yet to play this season for the champions-elect and his deal is up in the summer. At 43, will he retire?

Marcin Wasilewski (Centre-back)

Poland international has been lightly used by the Foxes and will be available this year. The 35-year-old has played seven times, mostly recently in the February 14 clash with Arsenal.

Liverpool

Jose Enrique

Kolo Touré (Defender)

Another veteran who will be looking for pastures new this summer – although Jurgen Klopp has hinted that he may be offered something. Toure wants to play regularly and has mostly been a sub this season, although he did start against Newcastle on Saturday.

Jose Enrique (Left-back)

Has been on the fringes at Liverpool for quite a while. Obviously talented but too error-prone for Anfield. Linked with a move back to Newcastle in January.

João Carlos Teixeira (Midfielder)

At just 23, he has been touted for a big future but has not figured much at Anfield. Creative, young Portuguese midfielder is wanted by Liverpool but needs to play regularly.

Manchester City

Martín Demichelis (Defender)

The Argentina international cost £4.2million when he moved from Deportivo La Coruna in 2013 but has no part to play in Pep Guardiola’s Etihad revolution. At 34, he’s maybe passed his peak.

Richard Wright (Goalkeeper)

38-year-old has been a back-up ‘keeper for most of his career. Now a coach and likely to hang up his gloves.

Manchester United

Michael Carrick

Michael Carrick (Midfielder)

One of the more desirable free agents on the market, the England midfielder still features regularly for Manchester United – who are yet to offer him a new deal. Linked to Newcastle before.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Left-back)

Manchester United want to keep the 19-year-old and there were a flurry of stories – not confirmed by the club – that he has signed a new deal. If he is a free agent, the Red Devils would be entitled to compensation for one of their most-promising youngsters.

Newcastle United

Steven Taylor (Centre-back)

No offer from United for the defender yet and he will end his long association with the club in the summer.

Kevin Mbabu (Defender)

Struggled with injuries this season as his United career has stalled.

Norwich

Alexander Tettey of Norwich City and Saido Berahino of West Bromwich Albion
Alex Tettey

Alex Tettey (Midfielder)

Norway midfielder has been a big miss for Norwich since injuring his ankle at the start of March. The Ghana-born star was a regular for Norwich before then – but his contract is up in the summer.

Steven Whittaker (Right-back)

31-year-old defender has played 16 times for the Canaries this season. Was linked with a move to Reading in January and the Championship might be his next move.

Gary O’Neil (Centre-midfield)

The 33-year-old’s deal expires in the summer and he has been a regular for the Canaries. Already been linked with Aston Villa.

Sunderland

Valentin Roberge (Centre-back)

The 28-year-old defender is so far in the cold he may as well have rented an igloo in Alaska. When he leaves Sunderland it’s hard to see anyone in the Premier League offering him a chance.

Steve Harper (Goalkeeper)

Ex-Newcastle stopper has been at Sunderland since late 2014. Will be interesting to see what his next move is.

Wes Brown (Centre-back)

Barely used this season. Just six appearances for the 36-year-old. Won’t get a new deal at the Stadium of Light – and it’ll be interesting to see his next move.

Southampton

Kelvin Davis (Goalkeeper)

Veteran stopper is out-of-contract at the end of the season, Plenty of experience.

Tottenham:

Tom Carroll of Tottenham Hotspur
Tom Carroll

Tom Carroll (Midfielder)

A talent but yet to break into the first team regularly at White Hart Lane. Needs first team football – should have options in the close season. At 23, has time on his side.

Watford

Joel Ekstrand (Centre-back)

The 27-year-old Swedish defender has just returned from a long absence. A contract offer is on the table but he’s yet to play this season.

West Brom

James Morrison (Midfielder)

Central midfielder is a useful player. Scotland international is still only 30.

Stephane Sessegnon (Forward)

Ask Sunderland fans about the talented but inconsistent forward, who was allowed to leave by Paolo Di Canio. The 31-year-old has played 18 times this season.

West Ham

Joey O’Brien (Right-back)

The 30-year-old has been linked with a free transfer to Sunderland in the summer and a reunion with former boss Sam Allardyce. Hasn’t played this season.

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