Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is having his hands tied in the transfer market, it has been revealed.

Conte has been allowed to splash the cash by Blues owner Roman Abramovich as he looked to overhaul the squad inherited from Jose Mourinho.

However, the Daily Mail says the signings he made may have been heavily influenced by figures already at the club.

Rather than giving Conte free reign when it came to choosing the players he wanted, Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo apparently presented the new manager with a list of long-term targets upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge, which he and Stamford Bridge chief Marina Granovskaia had devised.

While the former Juventus gaffer was allowed to offer his opinions on the names it included, as well as making additions and amendments to it, the list remained and will do so beyond his tenure.