Chelsea have cause for excitement over what is happening off the field as well as on it — and Antonio Conte stands to benefit in the transfer market.

The club have won two titles in the past three seasons with a net spend of just £12.9million.

It is a remarkable turnaround, given that the total net spend since owner Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003 is £586m.

Instead of maintaining the money-is-no-object philosophy, Chelsea are now prepared to sell in order to buy, partly because Financial Fair Play rules demand it.

It means their bank balance is in rude health, particularly as the Yokohama Rubber and Carabao sponsorship deals are worth £50m a season and a new Nike kit deal starting next season is worth an added £60m a year.

Lost Champions League revenue from this term has been offset by a huge increase in TV prize money and the Blues stand to make £152.8m for finishing top.

Despite having just the 11th biggest club stadium in the UK, Chelsea’s matchday revenue for the 2015-16 season was £69.7m.

Simon Johnson picks his greatest 10 Chelsea players 10 show all Simon Johnson picks his greatest 10 Chelsea players 1/10 10. Roy Bentley Games 367



Goals 150



For the best part of a century, Bentley was the first and only Chelsea captain to be part of a championship-winning side. The forward scored 21 goals in the successful 1954-55 campaign but it was not a one-off, hitting double figures in eight successive seasons for Chelsea. 2/10 9. Bobby Tambling Games 370



Goals 202



Tambling had the notso- easy task of replacing Jimmy Greaves as Chelsea’s main striker in the 1960s but did so with aplomb. His goal tally of 164 (he scored 202 overall) league goals for Chelsea has still to be beaten, despite the millions spent by the club on centreforwards over the years. 3/10 8. Ron Harris Games 795



Goals 14



He was not the most technically gifted player to wear the royal blue but it’s very unlikely his club-record of 795 appearances will ever be beaten. ‘Chopper’ was very popular from 1961-80, particularly for a tackling style that had opposing players quaking in their boots. 4/10 7. Jimmy Greaves Games 169



Goals 132



Just imagine how much Greaves would cost in the transfer market today. After progressing from the junior ranks, he found the net 132 times in just 169 games. To the dismay of Greaves and Chelsea fans, he was sold in 1961 at the age of 21 to AC Milan for £80,000, signing off with four goals against Nottingham Forest. 5/10 6. Peter Cech Games 492



Clean sheets 227



A key member of the trusted old guard who played a major role in Chelsea’s emergence as a major force during the first decade of the Roman Abramovich era. Of course there were many great saves during Cech’s 11-year spell in goal, but the keeper was also a very intelligent and influential voice in the dressing room. 6/10 5. Peter Osgood Games 380



Goals 150



Even after suffering a broken leg early in his career, ‘the King of Stamford Bridge’ remained a silky forward who defenders struggled to contain. A graduate from the youth ranks, Osgood is the last player to score in every round of the FA Cup, helping Chelsea beat Leeds in the 1970 final. 7/10 4. Gianfranco Zola Games 312



Goals 80



Probably the most skilful player to ever wear a Chelsea shirt. Zola was such a delight to watch, fans of rival clubs also admired him. The Italian striker was named the FWA Player of the Year in 1997 and after Zola announced that he was leaving Stamford Bridge in 2003 to return home, the press gave him a standing ovation. 8/10 3. Didier Drogba Games 381



Goals 164



The man for the big occasion. Drogba’s record of nine goals in eight cup finals — he was on the losing side just once when he scored — is simply remarkable. Scored the crucial equaliser and penalty to win the Champions League final in 2012, the greatest night in Chelsea’s history. 9/10 2. John Terry Games 717



Goals 67



One of the best defenders England, let alone Chelsea, has ever produced. Terry has been an inspirational captain on and off the pitch. There have been too many controversies to make him No1, but of all the legends to leave the club recently, he will be hardest to replace. PA 10/10 1. Frank Lampard Games 648



Goals 211



Talk about value for money. Chelsea signed Lampard from West Ham in 2001 for £11m and he left 13 years later as their all-time leading scorer with 211 goals. Those statistics, plus 11 major trophies, are impressive enough. But his professionalism has set the standard for everyone at the club to aspire to. 1/10 10. Roy Bentley Games 367



Goals 150



For the best part of a century, Bentley was the first and only Chelsea captain to be part of a championship-winning side. The forward scored 21 goals in the successful 1954-55 campaign but it was not a one-off, hitting double figures in eight successive seasons for Chelsea. 2/10 9. Bobby Tambling Games 370



Goals 202



Tambling had the notso- easy task of replacing Jimmy Greaves as Chelsea’s main striker in the 1960s but did so with aplomb. His goal tally of 164 (he scored 202 overall) league goals for Chelsea has still to be beaten, despite the millions spent by the club on centreforwards over the years. 3/10 8. Ron Harris Games 795



Goals 14



He was not the most technically gifted player to wear the royal blue but it’s very unlikely his club-record of 795 appearances will ever be beaten. ‘Chopper’ was very popular from 1961-80, particularly for a tackling style that had opposing players quaking in their boots. 4/10 7. Jimmy Greaves Games 169



Goals 132



Just imagine how much Greaves would cost in the transfer market today. After progressing from the junior ranks, he found the net 132 times in just 169 games. To the dismay of Greaves and Chelsea fans, he was sold in 1961 at the age of 21 to AC Milan for £80,000, signing off with four goals against Nottingham Forest. 5/10 6. Peter Cech Games 492



Clean sheets 227



A key member of the trusted old guard who played a major role in Chelsea’s emergence as a major force during the first decade of the Roman Abramovich era. Of course there were many great saves during Cech’s 11-year spell in goal, but the keeper was also a very intelligent and influential voice in the dressing room. 6/10 5. Peter Osgood Games 380



Goals 150



Even after suffering a broken leg early in his career, ‘the King of Stamford Bridge’ remained a silky forward who defenders struggled to contain. A graduate from the youth ranks, Osgood is the last player to score in every round of the FA Cup, helping Chelsea beat Leeds in the 1970 final. 7/10 4. Gianfranco Zola Games 312



Goals 80



Probably the most skilful player to ever wear a Chelsea shirt. Zola was such a delight to watch, fans of rival clubs also admired him. The Italian striker was named the FWA Player of the Year in 1997 and after Zola announced that he was leaving Stamford Bridge in 2003 to return home, the press gave him a standing ovation. 8/10 3. Didier Drogba Games 381



Goals 164



The man for the big occasion. Drogba’s record of nine goals in eight cup finals — he was on the losing side just once when he scored — is simply remarkable. Scored the crucial equaliser and penalty to win the Champions League final in 2012, the greatest night in Chelsea’s history. 9/10 2. John Terry Games 717



Goals 67



One of the best defenders England, let alone Chelsea, has ever produced. Terry has been an inspirational captain on and off the pitch. There have been too many controversies to make him No1, but of all the legends to leave the club recently, he will be hardest to replace. PA 10/10 1. Frank Lampard Games 648



Goals 211



Talk about value for money. Chelsea signed Lampard from West Ham in 2001 for £11m and he left 13 years later as their all-time leading scorer with 211 goals. Those statistics, plus 11 major trophies, are impressive enough. But his professionalism has set the standard for everyone at the club to aspire to.

Plans for a new 60,000-seat ground have been approved and it is estimated Chelsea will earn an extra £50m a year. At a minimum cost of £500m, funds will have to be provided for the project.

But for the short term, Chelsea have the money to make sure Conte can compete for the best talent Europe has to offer.