Antonio Conte has revealed that he will target "two or three players" in the summer to bolster his Chelsea ranks in order to make up the gulf in quality to Manchester City.

The defending Premier League champions have struggled in the top flight this campaign, finding themselves in a battle for the top four rather than in the title race.

Conte was given funds to bring in a string of new players ahead of this season, while Ross Barkley, Olivier Giroud and Emerson Palmieri arrived last month, but he expects a quieter transfer period next time around as he is after quality over quantity.

"Now we have to struggle to fight for a Champions League place - that is top," he told reporters ahead of Monday's meeting with Watford. "We must be realistic. We must be strong to accept this type of situation.

"Then, in the future, if there is the possibility, you have to try to buy only two or three players – not eight players. Don't forget, this summer, we brought in eight players and spent a lot less than other teams who bought only two or three."

Chelsea's 50-point tally after 25 games this season is 10 fewer than at this stage last season when going on to lift the title.