Chelsea hand new boss Antonio Conte top-four target and "relevance in the title race"

Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has been given a target by the London club ahead of next season. His first mission will be to drag Chelsea back into the Champions League places.

To achieve this, the Italy coach who will head to West London after the Euros has targeted two strikers to fire them there. Reports also claim that senior Stamford Bridge officials have informed Conte they expect the club to 'remain relevant' in the title race going into the final weeks of the Premier League season and that a top-four finish is a priority.

To fire them to the top, loanees Alexandre Pato and Radamel Falcao will depart, while Loic Remy is expected to follow the pair out of the door, leaving just Diego Costa as Chelsea's recognised senior striker.

Edinson Cavani, who is unhappy at PSG, and Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain are on the radar alongside their former striker Romelu Lukaku, although Everton would resist any moves to tempt the Belgian powerhouse back to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea delivered the worst defense to the premier league title ever when they finished 10th last season, just 12 months after lifting the title, causing Jose Mourinho to be sacked in December following a poor start to the campaign.

Conte's assignment is straightforward and he will be backed in the transfer market, although there is a belief that wholesale changes are not necessary.

The aim is to ensure that last season was a one-off and there is confidence Conte can deliver.

Chelsea will also resist offers from Barcelona amd Atletico Madrid for fullback Cesar Azpilicueta, 26.