Huge revenues allow Chelsea and Antonio Conte to compete for Europe's top talent

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.

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.