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LONDON. — Anxiety among Chelsea supporters about the club’s lack of tangible progress in this summer’s transfer market was approaching fever pitch on social media long before Thursday, when reports in Italy and England claimed that a frustrated Antonio Conte was on the verge of quitting Stamford Bridge. Sources at the club have told ESPN that Conte has not expressed any concerns with Chelsea’s transfer strategy or decision-making structure, but the reports resonated in part because they imbued the Blues’ beloved head coach with the same exasperation felt by many fans.

Manchester City’s lightning-quick approach to this summer has certainly made Chelsea — along with the rest of the Premier League’s elite — appear ponderous by comparison. — ESPN.