Chelsea Transfer News: Antonio Conte to Receive Defensive Funds, Latest Rumours

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will reportedly hand manager Antonio Conte more funds to reinforce his back line in January. 

That's according to the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel, who noted Abramovich is "sympathetic" to the Italian's plight as he did not land his first-choice targets in the summer.

Following the Blues' 3-0 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday, the owner has decided to make "significant cash" available to Conte.

Chelsea conceded 53 goals last season, but their only defensive reinforcements were Marcos Alonso and the unreliable David Luiz—indeed, their first-choice back four prior to an injury to John Terry was the same as last year.

As Bleacher Report UK's Garry Hayes noted, Conte has little to work with at Stamford Bridge:

ESPN's Miguel Delaney also remarked on the Blues' failure to land their targets and singled out Gary Cahill as one of the Blues' biggest problems at the back:

It's clear Chelsea need more recruits in defence, so despite Abramovich's trigger-happy reputation, he's wise to give Conte time to resolve their issues—a change of manager isn't likely to bring success when the new coach would have the same personnel to work with.

As such, the Blues look set to spend big in January and next summer, as they bid to keep up with their rivals.

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According to ESPN FC's Peter O'Rourke, one of their January recruits could be Tottenham Hotspur's Ben Davies, per "sources close to the Stamford Bridge club," and the Welshman was among their targets over the summer.

The left-back starred for Wales at UEFA Euro 2016 in the summer with a series of impressive performances, and he can also play in the centre, particularly if used on the left side of a back three.

Davies' first instinct is to defend—a trait not always seen in modern full-backs, nor in Chelsea's Luiz—and he's composed on the ball.

He could prove a useful acquisition if Spurs can be convinced to let him move to one of their rivals, but the Blues' priority should be top-quality, natural centre-backs who can replace Terry, Cahill and Luiz.