Who will roam the left flank for Chelsea next season?

It’s hard to improve on near-perfection, but that is just what Chelsea manager Antonio Conte must do next season if his side are to achieve back-to-back Premier League titles.

The Blues will head into next term with a massive target on their backs after a campaign that saw them dominate from November onwards and wrap up the league with several weeks to spare.

A huge part of Conte’s success last season was his switch to the now infamous 3-4-3 formation – relying on his wing-backs to both create chaos high up the pitch but also slot in to create a back five in defence when required.

The strategy was so successful that several other sides began to employ the same formation towards the end of the season to try and replicate the Blues’ success.

But while Marcos Alonso was a standout performer on the left for Chelsea, the Premier League transfer rumour mill is churning and it appears Conte is looking for an upgrade.

Here we break down the Italian’s options on the left wing for next season.

Marcos Alonso

It was hard to describe the 26-year-old as anything other than a flop from his previous spells in the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland – and there were a fair few giggles from the fans of Chelsea’s rivals when Conte brought him in last summer for £20million.

(Ian Walton/Getty Images)

But Alonso soon proved his doubters wrong and as well as being one of the Blues’ most consistent performers across the course of last season, he soon made himself one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Known primarily as a left-sided defender when he arrived at Stamford Bridge, Alonso soon showed he also had the cut and thrust to thrive going forwards in the Premier League, with his delivery from the left and dead-ball expertise causing Chelsea’s opponents plenty of problems.

He finished off with six goals and three assists from his first season in south-west London, and looked nailed on to continue in the role at the end of the campaign.

“His contribution; it’s great,” said Conte. “Marcos is one of the players who has grown this season. He took a lot of confidence.

“He’s working a lot to improve. His attitude and work-rate is great.

“Don’t forget that, when Alonso arrived at Chelsea, he wasn’t playing. Then he started to play and deserved to start every game.”

Alex Sandro

Despite Alonso’ success story last season, if the tabloids are to be believed, Conte is willing to make Juventus’ Brazilian star Sandro the world’s most expensive defender in the coming weeks.

Chelsea had a £52million bid for the 26-year-old rejected by Conte’s former side last week, but it is believed the Champions are willing to stump up £60million.

Sandro won the Serie A title at left wing-back last season, with three goals and four assists, and could double his £75,000-a-week wages with a move to Stamford Bridge.

The stats don’t make for good reading for fans’ favourite Alonso, with Sandro managing more successful dribbles (1.8 per game to Alonso’s 0.7), more key passes (1.9 per game to 0.8), a higher passing accuracy (84.6 per cent to 77.8 per cent), more tackles (2.3 per game to 1.9) and more interceptions (2.1 per game to 1.5) than the Spaniard.

Nathan Ake

After being recalled early from his season-long loan deal at Bournemouth last season, Ake made just five appearances for Chelsea in the second half of the season.

(Kieran Galvin/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

But the majority of those were in the left-wing-back position that Alonso had made his own, while he was also trusted in the heart of defence for Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final victory over London rivals Spurs, with Gary Cahill injured.

The 22-year-old Dutchman is highly rated by Conte, and a peach of a left foot coupled with electric pace makes him a great contender for the roaming role on the left – even if he has risen through the Blues’ ranks as a centre-back.

Bournemouth are keen on the £20million-rated youngster during the transfer window, with Leicester City also interested, but if Conte can keep Ake onside they may have one of the brightest talents in the Premier League on their hands.

Kenedy

After breaking onto the scene at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink following a £6.3million switch from Fluminense, Brazilian starlet Kenedy had a season to forget last term.

The 21-year-old impressed under Hiddink in particular, where his trickery and skill in matches proved that he certainly has the raw talent to thrive in the Premier League.

Injuries restricted him to just one appearance on loan at Watford last term before he was sent back to Chelsea.

But Conte showed he was willing to give the youngster a shot towards the end of the season as he started against the Hornets in the Premier League.