It was deep within the bowels of Wembley Stadium that Antonio Conte first hinted he wasn't overly happy with his Chelsea squad.

Less than an hour earlier his Blues side had produced a lacklustre performance in an FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal. The players, having secured the Premier League title a fortnight earlier, appeared jaded, both mentally and physically.

“For me, this season was incredible for us,” Conte started. “Every player gave 120 per cent.

“We didn’t have many injuries and it’s very important to understand this. It was incredible only because every single player could put all themselves into their work.

“Next season we must pay great attention to understand we have to improve. We need to improve numbers in the squad and also quality. You must be very cold to look at the situation.”

It's that final sentence which was most telling. Take away the emotion. Forget the Premier League title win. Focus simply on the Chelsea squad; it's not good enough to compete on more than one front.

And Conte knew that full well. He probably, in truth, had known for months. Chelsea's starting XI could rival any but beyond that were inconsistent squad members or youngsters who were far from the finished article.

So the Italian drew up a list of summer targets devised to improve his starting XI and the squad. Top of the list was Romelu Lukaku, who had just plundered 26 goals for Everton during the 2016/17 campaign.

Lukaku was the true all-rounder Conte craved. He could lead the line single-handedly but was clinical finisher in the penalty area.

Chelsea were favourites to land Lukaku the moment the season ended. And Conte clearly believed a deal would be secured as he texted Diego Costa informing the Spaniard he was no longer needed.

It was a reckless move but one you doubt the former Juventus boss would've made without being sure a replacement was coming in.

What happened next is well known. Chelsea were lazy in their efforts to sign Lukaku, Manchester United nipped in and pinched the Belgian. Conte was reportedly furious, and understandably so.

However, this isn't the first time the club have failed to land one of Conte's transfer targets. Rewind twelve months and the Blues were pursuing deals for Roma's Radja Nainggolan and Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci.

Both were two players Conte desperately. Neither arrived. Instead in came N'Golo Kanté, hardly a bad alternative, and, in the final hours of the transfer window, David Luiz.

Michy Batshuayi was signed too but he wasn't a Conte request. In fact, the only player the Chelsea boss truly wanted that arrived at Stamford Bridge last summer was Marcos Alonso.

Conte could've moaned and groaned. He could've made it clear to the press that the club had let him down in the transfer market, especially after back-to-back defeats against Arsenal and Liverpool .

But, perhaps because he was new to the club, Conte got on with managing the side as best he could. And his best was more than good enough for the Premier League last season.

Tactically the switch to 3-4-3 was inspired and enabled summer signings Alonso, Luiz and Kanté to shine. It also saw Conte reinvigorate the career of Victor Moses, who was converted into an effective wing-back.

Conte used the tools at his disposal expertly and that looks set to be very important once again this summer.

Chelsea clearly failed him by not being able to bring Lukaku back to west London but they will sign, once Costa is off the books, a top level striker. That may be Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang. It could be Álvaro Morata. Or maybe even Andrea Belotti.

None of the trio may have been top of Conte's summer wishlist but he is a smart enough coach to ensure whoever arrives at the club will be used to good effect.

Antonio Rüdiger, too, falls into that category given Chelsea's primary defensive target was reportedly Virgil van Dijk. While Danilo's potential signing comes after a move for Juventus' defender Alex Sandro collapsed.

So if Conte is displeased, it is understandable. But he is a coach's coach and a man who can make do if required. And that is why he is so important to Chelsea's future.

In an era of extravagant spending Chelsea are not the dominant force in the transfer market they once were. They are unable to blow sides out of the water by offering outlandish fees and wages.

The Blues are now more measured. The tend to sell before they buy and that means they won't land every single player Conte wants to bring to the club. They will be gazumped or priced out of deals.

But the Italian has proven he can adapt his squad and starting XI to the situation he is presented with.

Conte isn't wedded to a philosophy like Pep Guardiola, who is set to spend in excess of £200m at Manchester City this summer, so is more flexible in how he sets up his side ahead of a campaign. He cuts his cloth accordingly.

It was after a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace last season, Chelsea's 11th in a row, that Conte was asked if he was the Armani of coaches. It was a question that brought an infectious giggle from the Italian before he responded with: “Maybe Dolce and Gabbana?”

Which famous Italian fashion house the Blues boss is more like was never settled. But one thing is certain, when it comes to Premier League mangers, Conte is the ultimate tailor and one Chelsea can't afford to lose.