Whoever takes charge of Chelsea next season, they will have a much tougher job than the one Antonio Conte inherited in 2016.

Barring a home defeat for Liverpool against Brighton and a win for Conte’s side at Newcastle, Chelsea will be in the Europa League next season. However, that looks far more of a foundation to build on than the one Conte faced when he took over a club that had finished 10th in the table.

The Italian, who is expected to leave the club after the FA Cup Final, had a point when claiming he achieved a miracle by leading Chelsea to the title 12 months ago. But without demeaning his achievement, the club’s rivals were not in as strong a state as now.

For starters, Manchester City are a different force. They have succeeded Chelsea as champions by smashing records along the way.

Manager Pep Guardiola arrived in the same summer as Conte and may have taken longer to adapt to English football but he is its master now.

City also continue to back him heavily in the transfer market. After spending over £450million on players in two years, the forthcoming window will see more high-profile signings arrive.

Runners-up Manchester United have also paid vast sums for players since Jose Mourinho joined two years ago and they will invest heavily again.

Whether or not Liverpool win the Champions League Final, they are on a steep upward curve under Jurgen Klopp and will be a very attractive proposition for Europe’s finest.

Tottenham, meanwhile, will move into their new 62,062 ground later this year. A third consecutive campaign in the Champions League should ensure they keep Harry Kane and Dele Alli and it is understood they want to make a big marquee acquisition as a signal of intent when they begin life at the revamped White Hart Lane.

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And even though Arsenal are going to finish below Chelsea, they will have a new coach for the first time since 1999 and no longer be handicapped by the sideshow caused by the ‘Wenger out’ brigade.

Of course, Chelsea can never be written off. No club has won more trophies than the Blues following Roman Abramovich’s arrival in 2003.

However, the Russian billionaire is not bankrolling them as he once did. Figures show that Chelsea’s net spend on players was less than Everton and Crystal Palace over the last four years.

Abiding by Financial Fair Play rules is a priority and the estimated £1bn bill to turn the stadium into a 60,000 all-seater by 2024 has to be financed.

Revenue streams from sponsorships are on the increase but selling talent to buy is now standard practice. Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kante and Thibaut Courtois would generate the most revenue, yet they are players Chelsea cannot afford to lose.

Europa League football also means less riches and stardust to keep key men from looking elsewhere or to convince others to move to west London.

Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, David Luiz and Gary Cahill have all moved into their 30s under Conte. Willian reaches the landmark in August and Olivier Giroud arrived as a 31-year-old in January.

Chelsea can lean on their vast array of loanees and Academy stars to fill some of the gaps but the next coach will find it hard to get them back in the top four, let alone claim top spot again.

