EVEN WINNING THE CUP WON’T HIDE BLUES’ PROBLEMS

CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich is facing arguably the most important summer of his 15-year reign at the Bridge.

Yet another Blues manager looks doomed and the squad is in need of a major overhaul if the Blues are to keep up with Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.

Perhaps worst of all is the notion that Chelsea could fall behind London rivals Tottenham, who are making steady progress under Mauricio Pochettino.

Antonio Conte (main picture, above) worked miracles to win the Premier League last season, guiding them to the title with a close-knit squad.

But Conte sent out distress signals in the summer when he talked about needing to bring in more quality and to usher in a new era of big characters that Chelsea have lacked since the days of Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard.

This squad looks desperately short in several departments and even winning the FA Cup will not mask the underlying problems.

Chelsea’s transfer business has been highly questionable.

Their big buy last summer was £67million striker Alvaro Morata (below) but the Spaniard has looked vastly overpriced. And the likes of Danny Drinkwater, Ross Barkley and Antonio Rudiger have been merely bit-part players.

And Chelsea face a big decision over keeper Thibaut Courtois, who will enter the final year of his contract next season.

Eden Hazard has yet to commit himself to a new contract and, at 27, may be considering his last mega-money move. Chelsea could end up losing two of their biggest names and then have to rebuild, almost certainly without the lure of Champions League football. Manager Conte, despite his public protestations, looks certain to go this summer. He has found it difficult to work within the club’s transfer structure which is surely something Chelsea owner Abramovich must consider when he appoints the Italian’s successor.

On the pitch Chelsea need major surgery.

Off the pitch they need a new manager and the willingness to match Man City and United in the transfer market.

This summer could decide Chelsea’s future – and Abramovich must surely look for stability this time.