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Five players Chelsea should sign in January

By Ryan Willox

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on November 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Antonio Conte, Manager of Chelsea gives his team instructions during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on November 5, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /
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JUVENTUS STADUM, TURIN, TO, ITALY – 2016/11/02: Leonardo Bonucci in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Juventus FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Juventus Stadium on November 2, 2016 in Turin, Italy.The final result is 1-1. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
JUVENTUS STADUM, TURIN, TO, ITALY – 2016/11/02: Leonardo Bonucci in action during the UEFA Champions League match between Juventus FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Juventus Stadium on November 2, 2016 in Turin, Italy.The final result is 1-1. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) /

1. Leonardo Bonucci

Bonucci is well-known to Conte from their successful time together at Juventus therefore it is no surprise he should seek a reunion.

The bedrock of Conte’s title-winning Juventus teams anchored on a foundation of the 3-5-2, Bonucci is as close as there is at the moment to the complete defender.

So enamored is Conte of the tall, stylish 29-year-old center back, he has bestowed the honor of national team captain on him on more than one occasion as Italy coach.

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If the other four players on this list are component parts, Bonucci would be the foundation, the rock upon which Conte’s Chelsea are built.

Bonucci will not arrive cheaply or easily but Chelsea need a presence that will make fans forget John Terry.

All five players on this list are critical to Chelsea for one reason or another, but Bonucci feels like a must-buy.

And given the lengths Chelsea seem prepared to go to get him, it seems Conte agrees.

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