Photo: REUTERS

Despite Antonio Conte criticizing Chelsea for not spending big last summer compared to the likes of Manchester City, Manchester United and PSG, Chelsea do not intend to spend big on transfers this summer according to a report on Evening Standard.

Conte still has one year left on contract but is expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season after falling out with the board.

Conte’s successor will have a very limited transfer budget to work with this summer.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants the next Chelsea boss to use more youth, and will therefore offer only a limited transfer budget this summer.

Abramovich is keen to cut down on spending as Chelsea look to begin building the new Stamford Bridge stadium.

Chelsea are considering deals which could see the club borrow anything from £300-400m to £850m, depending on the financier chosen for the project. The cost of building the stadium has now risen to as much as £1.2billion.

Chelsea’s plans to borrow money for the stadium instead of it being financed by Abramovich are an extension of the club’s determination to wean off a dependence on Abramovich’s personal wealth.

Chelsea wants the next manager to make developing youth a priority.