Antonio Conte looks set to be given a considerable transfer kitty by Chelsea in January after turning the club’s current crop of stars into Premier League title contenders.

In light of the Blues recent exhilarating form, the club feel confident investing in Conte and believe that the Italian could unexpectedly push them towards the title following their poor start to the season.

Conte received an unforgiving introduction to English football and, after defeats to fellow title front runners, Liverpool and Arsenal, it was unsure whether the former Italy coach was going to have the desired effect in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

However, after changing to a 3-4-3 system, Chelsea have blossomed under Conte winning five successive games and moving to within one point of Premier League leaders, Liverpool.

And, without the distraction of European football this season, Chelsea have a massive advantage over some of their big rivals.

If the club go ahead with their plans to back Conte in the upcoming transfer window, the Chelsea boss is expected to strengthen in a number of areas.

With three spots to fill in defence, Conte could look to add another top defender to his ranks with Leonardo Bonucci his main target.

Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Kepa.jpg Wasn’t asked to do much, especially in the second half but a clean sheet is a clean sheet. PA Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Azpilicueta.JPG Created chances going forward and was as solid as ever defending the attacks from the left wing. REUTERS Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Rudiger.JPG Made some mistakes in the game, gave the ball away too easily and got involved in some poor clashes. Got booked for nonsense argument with Bernard but did well to keep Richarlison at bay. REUTERS Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Luiz.JPG Tried to play balls through the centre of the pitch to the front men. Blocked off Coleman to allow Alonso to run into space off the free kick. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Alonso.JPG Really threatening from the left wing and hit a spectacular volley that was denied by Pickford. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Kante.jpg With Jorginho was unable to comfortably play the ball where he wanted but that was down to the pressure put on him by Everton. AP Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Jorginho.JPG Got challenged to the ball frequently by Sigurdsson and came off worse for it. Most of his influence came by playing from his own half. REUTERS Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Kovacic.JPG Tracked back and defended well against Richarlison and played some good balls out wide when switching the play. REUTERS Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Hazard.jpg Turned up the tempo in the second half, firing shots from range and working the ball into the box from the wings and the middle of the pitch. AP Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Willian.JPG Found Alonso with a pitch perfect free kick and combined with Morata and Hazard to create an opening in a solid Everton defence. In the second half who two or three chances to put Chelsea in front but narrowly missed them. REUTERS Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Morata.jpg Sent Willian in behind Digne with a great ball through the defence but wasn’t clinical enough in front of goal. PA Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Pickford.jpg Stopped Alsono’s volley with a diving save to keep things level in the first half and was under serious pressure in the second half but made some stellar saves to keep a clean sheet. PA Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Coleman.JPG Played well down the right and linked up with Walcott and Richarlison in the first half, had a lot of defending to do in the second 45 minutes and did it well. Action Images via Reuters Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Keane.jpg Started a little sloppy but came into his own as the match wore on. Everton directed their set pieces at him, but he couldn’t direct a header towards goal. To come to Stamford and get a point is a good effort. AFP/Getty Images Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Mina.jpg Got booked for a challenge on Hazard, it was a strong one and probably deserved a card, but it set the tone for solid defence from Everton. Getty Images Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Digne.JPG Very good. He defended well at left back and created options for Everton on the wing. His delivery from set pieces was accurate and just needed better finishing quality. REUTERS Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Andre-gomes.jpg Looked composed and in control in the mid-field with Gueye they were able to play out from the back with ease. Getty Images Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Gueye.jpg Closed down the Chelsea men and won the ball back in mid-field. With Gomes he manoeuvred the ball forward for Everton. AP Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Walcott.jpg Combined well with Coleman in the first half but had to defend in the second when Everton were under the pump. Getty Images Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Sigurdsson.JPG Asked to limit the influence of Jorginho and was successful in that role. He also played some beautiful passes into the wide men to spread Chelsea’s defence. REUTERS Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Bernard.jpg Missed a great chance in the second half to put Everton in front and from then on Chelsea dominated. Played well in the first half but his miss is unforgivable. PA Chelsea vs Everton player ratings Richarlison.JPG Held the ball up well and caused problems for Chelsea’s defence. Rudiger in particular found the battle tough and it’s honours even for the match. REUTERS

However, Bonucci is currently in talks with Juventus over a new contract and the Italian giants are still desperate to keep him after rebuffing Chelsea’s advances this summer.

If they fail to lure him away from Turin again in January, Conte may look to long term favourite Roma’s Antonio Rudiger or AC Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli, who was subject of a £35million bid from the Blues this summer.