If we can get Kante i would be extremely happy with that. He is exactly what we need.

I'm still worried about the defense though, after last season it really needs improving. It's gone a bit quiet though which is a worry. If we don't get that defense sorted then we won't see much of an improvement on the disaster that was last season.

Zouma coming back will be a welcome addition

how about Andreas Christensen

Still on Loan as part of a two year loan deal

I think Zouma is a very promising defender, but i still think he has a lot to learn. My biggest concerns with Zouma is that he losses his man when the ball is in the air, and although he is great at tackling, he is only forced to make those tackles because he losses his man so often.

If Zouma sorts out his reading of the game then he can go on and be one of the best CB's around.

Hmm zouma or john stones...... i know which one id prefer!

In the press today it liiks like kante is a done deal, though the usual carp of costa wanting to go to madrid again

if a.madrid want costa, they can have him - as a swap for griezmann

If Costa still wants out then best we let him go and replace him swiftly.
Don't want it dragging on all pre-season.

Kante almost a done deal for £32m according to Sky Sports. I like him a lot, he seems very similar to Essien/Makaele and we all know how good they were for us.

Should be a good signing, perhaps a little overpriced but given he played so well last season(and won the league), its not too surprising. Glad we got him over other clubs. At 25 he should be hitting his peak in a couple of years too.

Don't think we will be able to bring many players in at less then 32m in today's market

its a great buy for us!

Agreed. This is the market we're in now so we have to expect to pay this sort of money.

Do think it will be a good signing though. Someone who can bolster our midfield and certainly improves the team.

If Costa does want out - he hasn't said anything in any interview. He needs to knuckle down under the new boss.

Really excited about the signing of Kante - an absolute engine of a player. Wonder if this means the departure of Mikel or Matic? Only player that looked like he really wanted out last season, was Matic. Didn't improve at all.

If anybody leaves, has to be John Obi surely.

Matic, although he played poorly last season, is still a top quality defensive midfielder who many top clubs around Europe would love to have. Hopefully Conte can get him motivated again and reassure him he's an important part of the team.

Mikel, although loyal has never been a top class player. Sure he's great to bring on as a sub at around 70 mins if you want to hold on to a lead but beyond that he's never really excelled.

Obviously Matic could go as teams such as Juve want him, but I'd personally like him to stick around and see what he can do under Conte's guidance.

Yep, I'd hang onto Matic if he is prepared to stay and put the effort in this season. Kante shouldn't be seen as a replacement for him if he does sign for us, we should be looking to play them alongside each other. Whatever happens, I don't want to see Fabregas in the pivot again.

I hope Mikel is sold, but I won't hold my breath. Even the tactic of subbing him on to protect a lead has rarely worked against decent opposition in recent seasons, we usually end up conceding an equaliser anyway. Hopefully we'll see a bit more of a positive approach from Conte than we did with Mourinho when we are a goal up.

Yes, I agree. Unless we intend to replace Matic with another midfield signing, we should keep him. Matic did occasionally seem to be fed up last season, but he was often being asked to the job of two players with Fabregas leaving us so exposed. He had been outstanding form for 30+ games after joining us, a return to that form and we'll be sorted in midfield.
I also agree that Mikel should be the one to leave. As much as I like him as a loyal player, he's ever been quite good enough to hold a regular place in one of the top teams in Europe..which I presume is our ambition.

Kante and matic on top form would be fine with me

Then hazard, cesc and Willian

Costa up top

Pedro, cuadrado, Oscar on the bench

I'd love a top Italian defender mr conte please

Sky Sports confirming this is now a done deal.

Four Year contract for £32m.

Great signing.

I stand corrected.

Five Year contract.

5 year contract for the 25 yr old kante

lets hope he can take his leicester form and replicate it for chelsea

an improvement on mikel, and a saving of 75 million on the reported pogba fee!

Now that Kante has signed, Matic to Juventus being suggested by ESPN.

Also seen Manolas linked with Chelsea too. I think he would be a shrewd signing for whoever gets him. Good player.

I'd forgotten about Caudrado. Conte appears to rate him, and he must be a better player than we saw in the few games he appeared for us last time ? He reminded me of how I felt as a little kid after being invited to play with the big boys in the street for the first time.
Yes, a CB must surely be the next signing. It's still not certain when Zouma will be back, and the possible combinations without him don't exactly inspire confidence.

Kante is a great signing.

only if matic stays.

yes he was hopeless for lots of last year but on form he is one of the very best - i hope he stays.

anyone watching the vienna game?

Well done on Chelsea getting Kante

This is the sort of signing that will make Chelsea great again

Great to have the Kante deal wrapped up. Fingers crossed on a CB next.