Chelsea gave their backing to Antonio Conte after the catastrophic 4-1 defeat to Watford, but you get the impression that all isn't well at Stamford Bridge.

Since the opening days of the season, despite boasting the status of Premier League champions, negative rumours have stalked Conte's every move. 

These murmurs have been amplified by the poor results that followed the 2-2 draw at Arsenal with the Blues picking up just two victories, five draws and three defeats.

There was a genuine sense of realisation that Conte could have been sacked this week yet the Italian lives to fight another day.

At the heart of all the drama at Chelsea lies disputes over the club's transfer policy. It seems a disagreement between the preferences of Conte and director Marina Granovskaia have played a large role in the simmering unrest.

Disputes over Chelsea's transfer policy

Gone are the shrewd purchases of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, in are the risky captures of Ross Barkley and Danny Drinkwater.

They were far from poor purchases but didn't exactly scream the ambition of a team seeking depth before a return to the Champions League. Moreover, in a new report by The Times, the very nature of Conte's qualms have become all-too clear.

The article highlights the damaging impact of selling Costa and no more so than by a trivial text message. Demands for greater autonomy over transfer policy after winning the league title is also cited as a cause of negativity in west London.

Perhaps the most interesting information disclosed, though, are the exact deals that angered Conte so much and they go someway to explain his weathered look and attitude this season.

Four major transfer fails

The report explains: "The failure to sign Leonardo Bonucci from Juventus last summer was a particularly bitter blow, with Conte making it clear that he was less than impressed to be given Antonio Rüdiger instead.

"He was also unhappy that the club did not push harder to sign Virgil van Dijk, Alexis Sánchez and Alex Sandro last month. Disagreements over the suitable ages of transfer targets — Fernando Llorente (32) for example — have been commonplace."

Wow. Even if Chelsea had secured just two members of the Bonucci, Van Dijk, Sanchez and Sandro quartet, their team would be looking ten times healthier right now.

Of course, the calibre of these players perhaps go a long way to explaining why Chelsea were unable to sign them yet at least it shows the lack of ambition doesn't lie with Conte.

Just imagine the results if the club had fully backed their manager's wishes and a solid second season might have been that extra bit special. 

Do you think Antonio Conte should be sacked? Have your say in the comments section below.