Crafting a Plan for Chelsea to Overhaul Their Porous Defence

Now that Antonio Conte has been appointed Chelsea manager, the speculation moves on to the next level.

Who will the Italian bring in to help improve this ailing Chelsea side? Who will he be selling? What areas of the squad need most strengthening? How much will he spend? What formation will he play?

The list is endless, and it's going to fill many more column inches between now and when the 2016/17 campaign starts.

One thing for certain is Conte will need to address Chelsea's issues at the back. We're expecting John Terry to leave this summer at the end of his contract, which will create a huge vacuum at the heart of the back line, while the Blues' defensive record hints at bigger problems elsewhere.

Season	Goals conceded*
2010/11	33
2011/12	46
2012/13	39
2013/14	27
2014/15	32
2015/16	42
	*Premier League games only

Indeed, Chelsea have conceded 42 goals in the league this season—there are still six games remaining—which is in stark contrast to what we would expect from the reigning Premier League champions.

Last term it was just 32, and in the four seasons preceding that, the Blues recorded 33, 46, 39 and 27 goals against, respectively.

Save for the 2011/12 season when the Blues suffered as much as this year, the trend more than hints at there being big problems at the back.

So how does Conte remedy them? Bleacher Report highlights some key areas.

Get Nemanja Matic back to his best

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Chelsea don't need to sign another defensive midfielder this summer. In Nemanja Matic, they already have one of the Premier League and Europe's best in that position.

The problems we've seen at the back have been influenced significantly by the alarming dip in form from Matic this term. When Chelsea cruised to the title, they did it with a solid rear guard that was assisted by the Serb shielding it.

Without him at his best, it's left Chelsea's defenders dangerously exposed. It's been open season at the back, and they simply haven't been able to cope.

Without a talented and capable defensive midfielder on form, any central defender is going to struggle. It's meant the likes of Terry, Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma haven't just been consumed by strikers but also runners from midfield.

We've seen opponents cut through Chelsea with ease, and to help stop that, Conte needs to get Matic back on form. Despite a horrible past year or so, he still has a lot to offer Chelsea, and the club shouldn't be looking to cast him aside just yet.

Conte is a celebrated coach, which is why Chelsea have gone for him to get the club back on track. He needs to show that by restoring Matic's confidence and ability.

Outside of Matic, there are others coming through at Chelsea that can work within the squad. Nathan Ake has been largely playing at left-back on loan with Watford this term, but he started out in that defensive-midfield area. He's an exceptional young talent, and Chelsea should look to make the most of their resources in these areas before they open the chequebook.

Play Cesar Azpilicueta at right-back

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Assuming Chelsea don't switch to a 3-5-2 under Conte, it's vital Cesar Azpilicueta is restored to his preferred position as a right-back.

The Spaniard filling in on the left has gone on for much too long. The impression has always been that it was a temporary solution, and after more than two seasons, it's about time Chelsea brought some more balance to their defence.

Azpilicueta is now the club's best right-back, but he doesn't play there, which is bordering on the ludicrous. Bransilav Ivanovic has struggled to contain wingers this season, with his ageing legs meaning his days on the flanks are numbered.

Not only can Azpilicueta compete defensively, he also gives Chelsea better options going forward, which is also a key factor in improving them as a defensive unit. Playing more football outside your defensive third means fewer goals are conceded, and with Azpilicueta providing width and attacking options, Chelsea are better placed to do that.

Reward John Terry with a 1-year contract

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It's what Chelsea fans want to see, and the assumption would be the Chelsea players would also welcome news of a contract extension for their captain John Terry.

This isn't about the 35-year-old playing every week; it's focused more on what he can offer away from the pitch.

In a team lacking big characters and leaders, Terry's departure this summer is going to dilute the strength of this side further. He's needed in the dressing room to lead his team-mates and assist the likes of Zouma, Cahill and Matt Miazga.

We shouldn't underestimate just how vital that will be over the course of the year.

The one issue is convincing Terry to accept that changed role. Despite remaining a wonderful player, he does restrict how Chelsea play due to that much-maligned lack of pace. Chelsea have to play a deeper line, and that impacts players in other positions.

Players of Terry's ilk are hard to come by, and Chelsea need to realise what they've got in him. The end is nigh, but he can offer plenty more before the axe eventually falls.

As the changes take hold this summer, the fear is allowing him to leave will be one change too many.

Replace John Terry

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OK, so the sub-header seems to contradict the point we've just made about Terry, but we're not suggesting it's taken in the literal sense.

What Chelsea must do, whether or not Terry remains this summer, is find his long-term replacement. Right now, they do not have one, and it's not clear where the club is headed without him.

We've seen this season that the days of Terry being Chelsea's first-choice centre-back are gone. He's suffered injuries at times and hasn't looked as dominant. Now is the time to find the defender who will become what he was for the club.

It's not about looking into the academy, either. Chelsea need a ready-made defender to come in now before they start to think of how the likes of Jake Clarke-Salter can develop for the future.

Where the club has failed is that they've relied too heavily on Terry for much too long. It's restricted their activity elsewhere, whether that's been in nurturing their young defenders or signing them.

Zouma isn't ready to step up yet, despite how promising he has looked. Cahill remains a defender of quality but is more a partner than a defensive leader.

Chelsea need to address the problem they've been avoiding.

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes