The football season has not even got under way yet, and Antonio Conte already sounds like a tense and frustrated man.

Conte always intended to consign Chelsea's Premier League title success in May to the past as quickly as possible because he likes to look ahead to the next challenge rather than bask in former glories.

But his mood was so downbeat as Chelsea's pre-season tour of the Far East came to an end with defeat against Inter Milan on Saturday night, it's almost like the celebrations with the league trophy that took place at Stamford Bridge just two months ago never happened.

It really has been a summer of discontent as far as the likeable 47-year-old is concerned, and he is not even trying to conceal it.

Over the past two weeks alone he has increasingly complained about the size of his squad; suggested Chelsea can't compete in the Champions League next term; that he is worried about emulating Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri by getting the sack the season after winning the League.

As far as he is concerned, the manner of performance in defeats to Bayern Munich and Inter in Singapore proved his point.

Those losses capped a close season that has not gone anywhere near as smoothly as he would have liked.

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Some of the angst has been just down to misfortune, namely being without two key first team players, Eden Hazard and new £40million signing Tiemoue Bakayoko, for the start of the campaign due to injury.

But the public nature of Diego Costa and Nemanja Matic becoming ostracised ahead of moves elsewhere has brought negative scrutiny.

Conte was furious that long-term target Romelu Lukaku ended up joining Manchester United, although it should be stated that the Blues missed out because they refused to pay agent Mino Raiola a huge commission.

"Insiders suggest that of the four additions Chelsea hope to bring in before the window shuts, two to three of them are close."

There was also an apparent change of plan regarding contract negotiations with the Chelsea coach. No extension was signed, just confirmation of a pay-rise.

It has been strange that Chelsea have loaned or sold so many players before completing their own deals first.

Now everyone knows the defending champions are desperate to spend and will hold out for a higher price.

In fairness they tried to persuade veteran captain John Terry to stay, but his decision to leave for regular first team football at Aston Villa has left a vacuum of experience and leadership that no-one can replace.

John Terry's career in pictures 14 show all John Terry's career in pictures 1/14 'Captain, leader, legend' We look back at John Terry's career. Alex Morton/Getty Images 2/14 1999 - Early beginnings Having joined as a youngster of 14 Terry made his debut on 28 October 1998 in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa. He would spend part of the 1999/2000 season on loan at Nottingham Forest but it wasn't long before Terry established himself in the Chelsea first team. Getty Images 3/14 2001 - Starting to make an impression The 2000/01 season was when Terry carved out a regular role at Chelsea, making 23 starts on his way to being voted player of the season. Getty Images 4/14 2004 - Captain fantastic Marcel Desailly's departure saw Terry take the Chelsea armband under new manager Jose Mourinho. It was to be the start of an outstanding relationship between the two that would lead to three league titles. 2004 Getty Images 5/14 2005 - Ending the 50 year wait Terry was the PFA Player of the Year as Chelsea won their first top flight crown since 1955, and just their second overall. 2005 ended with him in the Fifa World XI, reward for a remarkable run of form that was to continue into the following year, when Chelsea defended their title with a whopping 91 points. AFP/Getty Images 6/14 2006 - England captain On his promotion in place of David Beckham Steve McClaren said on Terry: "I'm certain I've got the right man in John Terry. I'm convinced he will prove to be one of the best captains England has ever had."



He was to last little over 18 months before being stripped of the armband by Fabio Capello amid allegations regarding his private life. Reinstated in March 2011 he lasted even less time on his second go, with the FA stripping him over allegations he had racially abused Anton Ferdinand. AFP/Getty Images 7/14 2008 - Heartbreak in Moscow Having overcome injury to make the Champions League final against Manchester United Terry put in a solid performance throughout normal time as the match ended 1-1. Then, with the chance to win the trophy for Chelsea, he slipped on his way to take his penalty. United would win the shootout 6-5. 2008 Getty Images 8/14 2010: Champion again Under Carlo Ancelotti Chelsea claimed their third title under Terry's leadership, and he was to make it a double by captaining the side to an FA Cup final win over Portsmouth. 2010 Getty Images 9/14 2012: European glory at last He may not have been able to play in the final but Terry did make himself the centre of attention in the Allianz Arena, sprinting on to the pitch in full kit (including shinpads) after Didier Drogba's winning penalty. It was to be the decision that spawned a thousand memes. AFP/Getty Images 10/14 2015: Back to his best Under Rafa Benitez in 2013 his Chelsea career seemed over, with the interim manager frequently leaving Terry out. But the return of Mourinho reinvigorated the club captain, who was to become only the second outfield player to play every minute in a title-winning side. 2015 Getty Images 11/14 2016: Moving on? Guus Hiddink had made clear that he thought Chelsea ought to offer Terry a new contract. The hierarchy disagreed. And so, in shock circumstances, the career of one of the club's greatest-ever players appeared to have entered its final months... Mike Hewitt/Getty Images 12/14 2016: Or staying put? Ahead of their final match of the season, Chelsea confirmed that they had offered their captain a new one-year extension . Terry's Chelsea future remains in his hands. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) 13/14 2016: Done deal! The Chelsea captain would indeed put pen to paper and signed a new one-year deal with the club. This content is subject to copyright. 14/14 2017: Captain moving on Antonio Conte's arrival as coach saw Terry's playing time limited for the 2016-17 season despite a switch to a three-man central defence, and the club confirmed in mid-april that their captain would be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign AFP/Getty Images 1/14 'Captain, leader, legend' We look back at John Terry's career. Alex Morton/Getty Images 2/14 1999 - Early beginnings Having joined as a youngster of 14 Terry made his debut on 28 October 1998 in a League Cup tie against Aston Villa. He would spend part of the 1999/2000 season on loan at Nottingham Forest but it wasn't long before Terry established himself in the Chelsea first team. Getty Images 3/14 2001 - Starting to make an impression The 2000/01 season was when Terry carved out a regular role at Chelsea, making 23 starts on his way to being voted player of the season. Getty Images 4/14 2004 - Captain fantastic Marcel Desailly's departure saw Terry take the Chelsea armband under new manager Jose Mourinho. It was to be the start of an outstanding relationship between the two that would lead to three league titles. 2004 Getty Images 5/14 2005 - Ending the 50 year wait Terry was the PFA Player of the Year as Chelsea won their first top flight crown since 1955, and just their second overall. 2005 ended with him in the Fifa World XI, reward for a remarkable run of form that was to continue into the following year, when Chelsea defended their title with a whopping 91 points. AFP/Getty Images 6/14 2006 - England captain On his promotion in place of David Beckham Steve McClaren said on Terry: "I'm certain I've got the right man in John Terry. I'm convinced he will prove to be one of the best captains England has ever had."



He was to last little over 18 months before being stripped of the armband by Fabio Capello amid allegations regarding his private life. Reinstated in March 2011 he lasted even less time on his second go, with the FA stripping him over allegations he had racially abused Anton Ferdinand. AFP/Getty Images 7/14 2008 - Heartbreak in Moscow Having overcome injury to make the Champions League final against Manchester United Terry put in a solid performance throughout normal time as the match ended 1-1. Then, with the chance to win the trophy for Chelsea, he slipped on his way to take his penalty. United would win the shootout 6-5. 2008 Getty Images 8/14 2010: Champion again Under Carlo Ancelotti Chelsea claimed their third title under Terry's leadership, and he was to make it a double by captaining the side to an FA Cup final win over Portsmouth. 2010 Getty Images 9/14 2012: European glory at last He may not have been able to play in the final but Terry did make himself the centre of attention in the Allianz Arena, sprinting on to the pitch in full kit (including shinpads) after Didier Drogba's winning penalty. It was to be the decision that spawned a thousand memes. AFP/Getty Images 10/14 2015: Back to his best Under Rafa Benitez in 2013 his Chelsea career seemed over, with the interim manager frequently leaving Terry out. But the return of Mourinho reinvigorated the club captain, who was to become only the second outfield player to play every minute in a title-winning side. 2015 Getty Images 11/14 2016: Moving on? Guus Hiddink had made clear that he thought Chelsea ought to offer Terry a new contract. The hierarchy disagreed. And so, in shock circumstances, the career of one of the club's greatest-ever players appeared to have entered its final months... Mike Hewitt/Getty Images 12/14 2016: Or staying put? Ahead of their final match of the season, Chelsea confirmed that they had offered their captain a new one-year extension . Terry's Chelsea future remains in his hands. (BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images) 13/14 2016: Done deal! The Chelsea captain would indeed put pen to paper and signed a new one-year deal with the club. This content is subject to copyright. 14/14 2017: Captain moving on Antonio Conte's arrival as coach saw Terry's playing time limited for the 2016-17 season despite a switch to a three-man central defence, and the club confirmed in mid-april that their captain would be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the campaign AFP/Getty Images

The stupidity of Kenedy's offensive messages on social media while in China, which offended the nation and caused huge embarrassment, was another distraction neither Conte nor the hierarchy needed.

Conte is an emotional character, however, and a few new arrivals, plus some positive results, can quickly lift his spirits.

The Chelsea board are certainly working on signings. Insiders suggest that of the four additions they hope to bring in before the window shuts next month, two or three of them are close.

If Conte gets the wing-back, central midfielder, attacking midfielder and striker he has asked for, then suddenly it looks a far rosier picture.

After all, the board have spent around £132m on internationals Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger and Bakayoko, with experienced keeper Willy Caballero joining as a free agent.

The Community Shield against Arsenal on Sunday though is suddenly becoming a match of huge importance.

This is no 'glorified friendly' for Conte and Chelsea need a victory at Wembley to reverse the negative momentum.

They failed to do just that when they contested the trophy against Arsene Wenger's side in 2015.

Mourinho was in charge back then and like Conte, had moaned about the club's dealings in the market having missed out on John Stones and Paul Pogba.

Without the strength of squad he requested, Mourinho's mood soured and so did Chelsea's fortunes. He was fired by December.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Inter Milan | 28-07-2017 10 show all In Pictures | Chelsea vs Inter Milan | 28-07-2017 1/10 Getty Images for ICC 2/10 Getty Images for ICC 3/10 Getty Images for ICC 4/10 Getty Images for ICC 5/10 6/10 AFP/Getty Images 7/10 Getty Images for ICC 8/10 Getty Images for ICC 9/10 AFP/Getty Images 10/10 Getty Images for ICC 1/10 Getty Images for ICC 2/10 Getty Images for ICC 3/10 Getty Images for ICC 4/10 Getty Images for ICC 5/10 6/10 AFP/Getty Images 7/10 Getty Images for ICC 8/10 Getty Images for ICC 9/10 AFP/Getty Images 10/10 Getty Images for ICC

The players that took part in the club's worst campaign of the Roman Abramovich era - they finished a lowly tenth - are aware that history simply must not repeat itself.

As keeper Thibaut Courtois told Standard Sport: "We want to build on what we did last season. We know that after winning the title in 2015, we had a bad season.

"The important thing is to keep our focus and start well against Arsenal in the Community Shield.

"It's more than just a friendly because there is a trophy involved. We didn’t start well two years ago so I think a good start helps to keep that level throughout the season.

In Pictures | Chelsea's record-breaking 30 Premier League wins 30 show all In Pictures | Chelsea's record-breaking 30 Premier League wins 1/30 Chelsea 2 West Ham 1 Diego Costa scores a late winner to earn Antonio Conte his first Premier League win. AFP/Getty Images 2/30 Watford 1 Chelsea 2 Michy Batshuayi shines as the Blues secure another late win. Getty Images 3/30 Chelsea 3 Burnley 0 Victor Moses caps off a comprehensive victory at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images 4/30 Hull 0 Chelsea 2 Antonio Conte's side recover from a poor run of results to beat Hull using their new 3-4-3 formation. Getty Images 5/30 Chelsea 3 Leicester 0 Eden Hazard celebrates his goal either side of strikes from Diego Costa and Victor Moses. Getty Images 6/30 Chelsea 4 Manchester United 0 The Blues humiliate Jose Mourinho on his return to Stamford Bridge with a stunning victory in west London. AFP/Getty Images 7/30 Southampton 0 Chelsea 2 The Blues' winning run goes on with victory at St Mary's Stadium. AFP/Getty Images 8/30 Chelsea 5 Everton 0 Antonio Conte's switch to the 3-4-3 system continues to pay off - with his team thrashing the Toffees. Getty Images 9/30 Middlesbrough 0 Chelsea 1 Antonio Conte celebrates with Diego Costa at full-time after the striker's 41st-minute goal is enough to secure all three points at the Riverside Stadium. AFP/Getty Images 10/30 Chelsea 2 Tottenham 1 Pedro and Victor Moses are on target as the Blues beat their London rivals despite going behind to Christian Eriksen's opener. Getty Images 11/30 Manchester City 1 Chelsea 3 The Blues complete another superb comeback which is capped off by Eden Hazard's 90th-minute goal at the Etihad Stadium. AFP/Getty Images 12/30 Chelsea 1 West Brom 0 Diego Costa nets the only goal in the 76th minute against a stubborn Baggies side. AFP/Getty Images 13/30 Sunderland 0 Chelsea 1 Cesc Fabregas gets the breakthrough at the Stadium of Light just before half-time. AFP/Getty Images 14/30 Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 1 Diego Costa heads in the winner to secure another narrow victory for the Premier League leaders. Getty Images 15/30 Chelsea 3 Bournemouth 0 The Blues secure a comfortable win over the Cherries at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. Getty Images 16/30 Chelsea 4 Stoke 2 After a run of clean sheets, New Year's Eve sees Antonio Conte's side let in two at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images 17/30 Leicester 0 Chelsea 3 Marcos Alonso celebrates his brace at the King Power Stadium. Getty Images 18/30 Chelsea 2 Hull 0 Gary Cahill adds gloss onto another win in west London. AFP/Getty Images 19/30 Chelsea 3 Arsenal 1 Marcos Alonso opens the scoring in the London derby before Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas add further goals. Getty Images 20/30 Chelsea 3 Swansea 1 The Blues survive a scare following Fernando Llorente's equaliser by beating the Swans. Getty Images 21/30 West Ham 1 Chelsea 2 Antonio Conte's side exact revenge on the Hammers for their EFL Cup win at the London Stadium earlier in the season by beating them in east London. West Ham United via Getty Images 22/30 Stoke 1 Chelsea 2 Willian and Gary Cahill are on target as the Blues leave it until the 87th minute to beat the Potters. Getty Images 23/30 Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1 Antonio Conte's side react to losing to Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge by seeing off Pep Guardiola's side. Getty Images 24/30 Bournemouth 1 Chelsea 3 Marcos Alonso nets another goal at the Vitality Stadium. Getty Images 25/30 Chelsea 4 Southampton 2 Diego Costa bags a brace as the Blues march toward the title. Getty Images 26/30 Everton 0 Chelsea 3 In what is seen as a big test of their title credentials, the Blues win at Goodison Park thanks to Pedro's stunning opener. AFP/Getty Images 27/30 Chelsea 3 Middlesbrough: The hosts condemn Boro to relegation as they move to within one win of the title. Getty Images 28/30 West Brom 0 Chelsea 1 Michy Batshuayi's 82nd-minute winner hands Antonio Conte's side the Premier League title. Getty Images 29/30 Chelsea 4 Watford 3 Despite a much-changed line-up, the Blues see off the Hornets in a seven-goal thriller. AFP/Getty Images 30/30 Chelsea 5 Sunderland 1 Stamford Bridge said farewell to John Terry as Chelsea finished the season in style. PA 1/30 Chelsea 2 West Ham 1 Diego Costa scores a late winner to earn Antonio Conte his first Premier League win. AFP/Getty Images 2/30 Watford 1 Chelsea 2 Michy Batshuayi shines as the Blues secure another late win. Getty Images 3/30 Chelsea 3 Burnley 0 Victor Moses caps off a comprehensive victory at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images 4/30 Hull 0 Chelsea 2 Antonio Conte's side recover from a poor run of results to beat Hull using their new 3-4-3 formation. Getty Images 5/30 Chelsea 3 Leicester 0 Eden Hazard celebrates his goal either side of strikes from Diego Costa and Victor Moses. Getty Images 6/30 Chelsea 4 Manchester United 0 The Blues humiliate Jose Mourinho on his return to Stamford Bridge with a stunning victory in west London. AFP/Getty Images 7/30 Southampton 0 Chelsea 2 The Blues' winning run goes on with victory at St Mary's Stadium. AFP/Getty Images 8/30 Chelsea 5 Everton 0 Antonio Conte's switch to the 3-4-3 system continues to pay off - with his team thrashing the Toffees. Getty Images 9/30 Middlesbrough 0 Chelsea 1 Antonio Conte celebrates with Diego Costa at full-time after the striker's 41st-minute goal is enough to secure all three points at the Riverside Stadium. AFP/Getty Images 10/30 Chelsea 2 Tottenham 1 Pedro and Victor Moses are on target as the Blues beat their London rivals despite going behind to Christian Eriksen's opener. Getty Images 11/30 Manchester City 1 Chelsea 3 The Blues complete another superb comeback which is capped off by Eden Hazard's 90th-minute goal at the Etihad Stadium. AFP/Getty Images 12/30 Chelsea 1 West Brom 0 Diego Costa nets the only goal in the 76th minute against a stubborn Baggies side. AFP/Getty Images 13/30 Sunderland 0 Chelsea 1 Cesc Fabregas gets the breakthrough at the Stadium of Light just before half-time. AFP/Getty Images 14/30 Crystal Palace 0 Chelsea 1 Diego Costa heads in the winner to secure another narrow victory for the Premier League leaders. Getty Images 15/30 Chelsea 3 Bournemouth 0 The Blues secure a comfortable win over the Cherries at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. Getty Images 16/30 Chelsea 4 Stoke 2 After a run of clean sheets, New Year's Eve sees Antonio Conte's side let in two at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images 17/30 Leicester 0 Chelsea 3 Marcos Alonso celebrates his brace at the King Power Stadium. Getty Images 18/30 Chelsea 2 Hull 0 Gary Cahill adds gloss onto another win in west London. AFP/Getty Images 19/30 Chelsea 3 Arsenal 1 Marcos Alonso opens the scoring in the London derby before Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas add further goals. Getty Images 20/30 Chelsea 3 Swansea 1 The Blues survive a scare following Fernando Llorente's equaliser by beating the Swans. Getty Images 21/30 West Ham 1 Chelsea 2 Antonio Conte's side exact revenge on the Hammers for their EFL Cup win at the London Stadium earlier in the season by beating them in east London. West Ham United via Getty Images 22/30 Stoke 1 Chelsea 2 Willian and Gary Cahill are on target as the Blues leave it until the 87th minute to beat the Potters. Getty Images 23/30 Chelsea 2 Manchester City 1 Antonio Conte's side react to losing to Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge by seeing off Pep Guardiola's side. Getty Images 24/30 Bournemouth 1 Chelsea 3 Marcos Alonso nets another goal at the Vitality Stadium. Getty Images 25/30 Chelsea 4 Southampton 2 Diego Costa bags a brace as the Blues march toward the title. Getty Images 26/30 Everton 0 Chelsea 3 In what is seen as a big test of their title credentials, the Blues win at Goodison Park thanks to Pedro's stunning opener. AFP/Getty Images 27/30 Chelsea 3 Middlesbrough: The hosts condemn Boro to relegation as they move to within one win of the title. Getty Images 28/30 West Brom 0 Chelsea 1 Michy Batshuayi's 82nd-minute winner hands Antonio Conte's side the Premier League title. Getty Images 29/30 Chelsea 4 Watford 3 Despite a much-changed line-up, the Blues see off the Hornets in a seven-goal thriller. AFP/Getty Images 30/30 Chelsea 5 Sunderland 1 Stamford Bridge said farewell to John Terry as Chelsea finished the season in style. PA

"We just have to move forward and work hard and hope that (a repeat of 2015-16) doesn’t happen.

"Our aim is to fight for a title until the last day of the season and, if not, to be as high as possible."

The fixture schedule has not been kind to Chelsea this year so a good opening will be some feat.

They face four of last season's top six in the first seven matches, plus have potentially difficult away trips to Leicester and Stoke.

Given what Conte achieved with a small squad in his debut season in England, no-one should write him or the club off.

They were eighth by the end of September 2016, but were top two months later and were never looked back after that.

Still, pre-season is all about getting fully prepared for the new campaign and Chelsea look far from ready for all the challenges that lie ahead.