Sitting seventh going into the international break, the Chelsea’s start to the season has been fairly unsatisfactory, and it has been reported that manager Antonio Conte is planning a major overhaul of the squad over the next couple of transfer windows.

The Telegraph report that Roman Ambramovic is willing to give Conte the funds he needs to complete this squad overhaul, including funding a spectacular £60m move for Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci, who they will attempt to land in the January window.

Chelsea fell to a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Arsenal a couple of week ago, in what was nothing short of a defensive horror show from a Chelsea point of view, sparking the plans of a major squad overhaul. The Blues kept a clean sheet at Hull at the weekend in a 2-0 win, but the former Juventus and Italy manager is still set to go ahead with his plans.

The Telegraph also claim that Juventus and Inter Milan officials were in London this week, but they are unsure whetehr this was regarding the transfer of Bonucci and Marcelo Brozovic, who Chelsea also have eye on.

Conte fielded a team with a back three on Saturday, and it is understood that this is system Conte will want to play in the long run at Stamford Bridge, but feels that he has to dip into the transfer market and acquire the players that will suit this system.

Leonardo Bonnuci has previously worked with Conte on two occasions, once while Conte was at the helm at Juventus, and also when he took charge of the Italian national team. The Juventus man is more than used to playing Antonio Conte’s three at the back system, and would be viewed by Conte as one of the best possible signings Chelsea could make.

So how does Bonnuci compare in the statistics department to other defenders at Chelsea? Looking at the stats from this season of Bonnuci, Gary Cahill, David Luiz and John Terry. The latter has won the least tackles with just 0.25 per game, followed by Bonnuci, who makes 0.8 successful tackles per game. Gary Cahill makes a fraction more with 0.86 per game, but David Luiz makes the most with 1.33 per game.

Bonnuci wins the least of his total duels with 40.63%, then come David Luiz and John Terry with 42% and 48% respectively. Gary Cahill leads the way, winning 61.9% of his total duels.

Cahill also tops the pile in tackles lost, losing just 0.57 per game. Luiz and Terry lost around 1.3 per game, and Bonnuci loses the most tackles, on average, 1.60 lost tackles per game.

However, Bonnuci does make the most interceptions per game than the rest of the defensive quartet. He makes on average three per game, whereas Luiz makes two, Cahill 1.57, and Terry just 0.5.

Looking at those statistics, is Bonnuci worth £60m? Certainly not in my opinion. However, his experience of working with Conte could prove to be invaluable as the manager looks to guide Chelsea to domestic and continental success in the next few season.

Would signing Bonnuci at £60m be a good move for Chelsea?

Having spent £150m over the summer, Manchester United haven’t had a terrific start to the season that many expected them to have. They sit 6th in the Premier League table after seven weeks, and as we head into the October international break, Jose Mourinho may have one eye on the January transfer window. Here are three players he could potentially bring to Old Trafford in the New Year

1) Danny Drinkwater

The United defensive midfield may not look like it needs strengthening, with Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Morgan Schneiderlin and Marouane Fellaini battling for first-team places, but according to The Sun, Jose Mourinho wants to add to his midfield options with the acquisition of Danny Drinkwater.

The Sun claim that Mourinho is willing to pay up to £30million in order to land his January target, which would see the Englishman return to the club that turned it’s back on him just four years ago.

Drinkwater featured alongside N’Golo Kante last season in Leicester City’s title-winning season, and having seen Kante move to Chelsea over the summer, Claudio Ranieri won’t be keen on Drinkwater also leaving the club.

Mourinho is reportedly keen on making another defensive midfield signing not only to bolster his options in that area, but to also allow Paul Pogba to feature in a more attacking role in the midfield, implying that the Portuguese boss is not content with the current defensive unit protection of Ander Herrera, who has featured in that role for United this season.

Comparing the two, Danny Drinkwater has won more tackles than Herrera, winning on average just under three per game, with Herrera winning just 2.25 per game. However, Herrera makes almost two more interceptions per game, wins a higher percentage of total duels, makes more clearances, and just about loses less tackles per game.

Looking at those facts, is Drinkwater really worth the reported £30m investment?

According to a report in The Times on Monday night, Hector Bellerin could be set to reject a new 5-year contract offer extension at Arsenal as his preference is to join Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

Barcelona have been the club most regularly linked with a move for the Spaniard, but if you believe the papers it may be Guardiola’s side that makes a successful move for him. Bellerin joined Arsenal as a teenager, opting to leave the Spanish club. It was a similar move to how Cesc Fabregas ended up at Arsenal, although Gunners fans will hope that with Hector, there is a different conclusion.

City though, are desperate for a full back of Bellerin’s calibre. On the right hand side of the defence they currently have the aging duo of Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna – it’s clear the improvement he would make to Manchester City’s team, especially because of the way that Pep places emphasis on his full backs in build-up play, Bellerin would thrive in such a role.

Bellerin was developed at Barcelona and Arsenal, so he has had a brilliant football education and because of that, good ball skills – a must for all Pep’s jigsaw pieces. Another huge asset of Hector’s is his blistering pace, often providing a safety barrier for Arsenal when other defenders are left behind. Most recently he demonstrated this with a quality last man tackle on Pedro in the clubs 3-0 win vs. Chelsea, but in his short time in the first team, Bellerin has already saved several points for his team because of his pace.

Personally I find it hard to believe that Bellerin - a player who has matured and excelled at Arsenal, would leave to join Manchester City. Yes Pep’s influence is massive, but the player loves London, he’s thriving at Arsenal and right now at least, there’s no real reason for him to leave. He has often made sly digs at the likes of Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas for joining English rivals and when publicly asked, he has always refuted suggestions that he may leave The Emirates any time soon.

Honeslty I expect Bellerin to sign a new 5-year contract with Arsenal this season. I think he sees his immediate future at Arsenal and although there may be a silent acknowledgement amongst the Arsenal fans that one day he may go back to Barca, everyone hopes that Arsenal will be the only English club he ever plays for. I also think that even if Hector would like to play for Barcelona, he doesn’t need to go and do it yet. A 5-year contract would put to bed the rumours for at least another 3 years, allowing him to keep improving. Arsenal no longer need to sell their star players and in Bellerin, aged just 21, they have a real asset, perhaps the most valuable at the club.

As an Arsenal fan I’m not going to pay much attention to this rumour, and after looking at the facts and quotes, it makes even less sense. I can’t see The Times being right this time.

The transfer window may be closed but according to Matt Law from The Telegraph, Chelsea and Manchester United are already looking ahead to future windows with a move for Antoine Griezmann.

Griezmann is a special player and it is now being recognised across the world. The fact that he is in the top 3 shortlist for the best player award alongside Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo speaks volumes. Although it is too early to suggest that he is at their level, he does have the potential to one day hold that title with Cristiano (31) and Messi (29) now entering the latter years of their career. Griezmann is just 25 and since his move to Atletico Madrid he has made huge improvements. Previously at Real Sociedad, Griezmann was known for being a winger that could play through the middle. Now he has made the central striking spot his own, ideally alongside a more physically strong striker like Oliver Giroud for France and Fernando Torres for Atletico. He may thrive alongside a ‘bigger’ striker, but Griezmann, despite his small frame, does have a lot of the tools to be able to play as a lone striker. He’s good in the air, with a magnificent leap (he won 1.57 aerial duels per 90 last season), he’s good creatively, notching up 5 assists and 1.39 key passes per 90 last season. He’s also very quick, which stretches opposition defences and allows his teams midfield more freedom.

I think the next step for him will be to see if he can develop a deadly instinct and close control skills similar to Sergio Aguero. The Argentinean is of similar height, but built up a stockier build to help him handle big defenders, I feel Griezmann will have to tactically do the same if he is to play as a lone striker in the Premier League. Both Chelsea and Manchester United typically play with one striker up front – although the idea of Griezmann playing alongside Ibrahimovic next season would surely make fans drool. But in the long term Griezmann will have to adapt if he is to be considered the very best – I’m sure the Premier League would help him do that.

At 25 it’s not like Griezmann is just starting his career, but he is moving into his prime years and has only recently established himself among the top calibre of players. His efficiency in front of goal has helped him raise his status, managing a brilliant shot accuracy of 57% last season and a brilliant 0.65 goals scored per 90, scoring a massive 22 La Liga goals. If he can replicate that goalscoring form again this season then his stock will only rise further.

But who needs him more, Manchester United or Chelsea? Well currently both teams have a top class striker (Ibrahimovic and Costa), both also have young strikers coming through who need to play (Rashford and Batshuayi) but if Griezmann were to become available then you simply cannot say no. Antonio Conte has previously played with 2 strikers at clubs like Juventus, so Griezmann could be viewed as the ideal partner for Costa in attack.

Despite all the rumours, the Frenchman has previously said though, that he will only move should current manager Diego Simeone also leave, having built up a close relationship with him.

I wonder if the bid will be £40,000,001?

According to the latest rumours, Arsenal may be about to move for Daniel Sturridge, who reportedly wants to leave Liverpool after falling out of favour under Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. I’ll leave it up to you what you think about this story.

Sturridge is however out of favour under Klopp, who appears to prefer the pressing options and more energetic alternatives offered by Roberto Firmino, Divick Origi and Sadio Mane - all of whom can play as a striker, they also have Danny Ings as an option through the middle.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to ensure you don’t miss anything on Deadline Day!

Sturridge has immense quality but with him not suiting Klopp’s style and struggling to consistently find fitness, should Liverpool cash in if Arsenal bid more than £40million?

We are sceptical on this one, but its one worth keeping an eye on as stranger things have happened.

Chelsea are about to resign David Luiz for €40million in what could be the biggest deal on deadline day.

We understand that a €40million fee has been agreed between the two clubs and Luiz is currently travelling to London for a medical as we speak.

A big stereotype is that Luiz makes a lot of defensive errors, but was this the case last season? Yep. Despite only playing 25 Ligue 1 games, Luiz made 4 defensive errors, Cahill and Terry combined only made 3.

Luiz also struggles in other key defensive areas. For example he only made 0.34 blocks per 90 last season, and won a miserable 1.16 aerial duels. His weakness in the air is particularly worrying and could see him exposed in the physical Premier League.

With John Terry’s time at the club nearly over and Gary Cahill continuing questionable form, Luiz may be a wise addition. His unpredictability and inconsistency in defence is something that would need to change in order for him to be worth the £30million, in my opinion.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to ensure you don’t miss anything on Deadline Day!

Luiz is 29 and has 55 international caps for Brazil, he is a pretty experienced defender and perhaps he has developed his defending and maturity since the last time we saw him in the Premier League. Chelsea fans will hope this is the case should Luiz rejoin, whilst also hoping that Conte can bring the best out of the defender.

Liverpool look set to do some business on deadline day after all..

The club appear ready to offload Mario Balotelli finally and he looks set to move to France, with the player currently in France ready to complete a deal, according to reports from The Telegraph. Several other sources have confirmed the player is having a medical currently in what appears to be a permanent deal for the Italian misfit.

Mario has so much potential but his style could not be more of a contrast to Jurgen Klopp’s pragmatic, hard-working tactics. Aged 26, Balotelli needs to be playing regular football and he is not going to get that under Klopp at Liverpool.

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to ensure you don’t miss anything on Deadline Day!

Nice will be a good fresh start for Mario and hopefully we can see him find some of his previous form - then he may join another big European club.