If there’s one thing the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson has proved, it’s that it’s one thing to win the Premier League one year but quite another to repeat the feat the following season.

Not since Sir Alex achieved three in a row in 2009 at Manchester United, a title-winning sequence interrupted by Carlo Ancelotti in his first season at Chelsea the following year when he pipped the Scot by a point, has a side gone back to back.

A more pertinent look at whether this is possible at Chelsea will come at the end of August and the closing of the transfer window but it’s already fascinating to ponder the question of dynasty at Stamford Bridge.

A lot of that may depend on whether Antonio Conte — as has been reported in the UK press about his sales pitch — does indeed convince Eden Hazard his future is better at Chelsea than Real Madrid and that he should stay and help build an all-conquering club.

The first part of any dynasty has been achieved. Tottenham are a wonderful team that Mauricio Pochettino is improving upon each season but they have too much to do to catch Chelsea this campaign. Chelsea’s Wednesday night win over Manchester City was conclusive proof of that.

Conclusive proof of Chelsea’s ambition for Hazard will undoubtedly come in the transfer market.

Not only will he require proof of a club that can be overwhelming favourites to regain the Premier League but also at the same time mount a serious Champions League challenge.

Add Alexis Sanchez to the mix — which would be the most explosive transfer in many a season — and not only do you significantly improve Chelsea’s attacking threat but also potentially wound Arsenal for seasons to come. The psychological blow of such a transfer cannot be underestimated.

The bigger signing, however, may be at the back.

Pipping Manchester City to the signature of Southampton’s classy ball-playing defender Virgil Van Dijk could be more important.

Again, a huge signal of intent but also an area Chelsea most certainly need strengthening in. There are certainly positives to David Luiz’s game but, as Crystal Palace proved, he is always liable to make mistakes.

The other piece of the puzzle, of course, is Conte himself. He gave short shrift to reports this week linking him with a move away and specifically said he was eager to build “something important” at Stamford Bridge.

Speculation went into overdrive when his friend, the Italian agent Federico Pastorello, said Conte might find offers from “historical clubs” — he is being linked with Inter Milan — difficult to resist.

But while dismissing others speaking on his behalf, when asked whether that meant he will be at Chelsea next season, Conte replied: “Yes, for the next season.”

Chelsea fans will hope it is far more than just next season.

While Conte will never come close to entering Fergie time, no doubt the record of the incumbent in the Old Trafford dugout Jose Mourinho and the three Premier League crowns he achieved at Chelsea has more than entered his mind. Now that would be something special.

And finally ...

Some food for thought ... Brazilian Serie D outfit Fluminense de Feira have teamed up with a local supermarket in a gimmick to use their shirt numbers to advertise the store’s new offers.

The Bahia state side use each player’s number to advertise the price of an item in the supermarket to draw in potential customers.

The shop’s product is placed above the player’s squad number, with the large number representing the price in Brazilian reais, and a small number beside it the centavos.

Hence, star striker Fernando Sobral, the Daily Mail reports, advertises a pizza that pops off the shelves for the princely price of R$10.98 (Dh12.8).