Maurizio Sarri says he will only look to buy two players in the summer if Chelsea get their transfer embargo delayed.
FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that the west London club’s appeal against the two window ban, which was issued because of breaching rules over acquiring foreign minors, had failed.
Chelsea are now taking their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the latter could postpone the punishment while the process is carried out.
That would mean Chelsea could recruit during the close season after all, but Sarri doesn’t believe much business would be required to bridge the gap to the top two clubs Manchester City and Liverpool, who are 24 and 23 points ahead of them respectively.
He said: “I don't believe when you buy 10 players. I think we have to buy only one or two players. Otherwise it's very difficult to improve immediately. I think we are a very good team and so we need only one or two players, no more.”
When asked if he’d been speaking to the hierarchy, including influential director Marina Granovskaia, about plans for next season, he replied: “Not at the moment. We spoke one month ago about the pre-season, the programme of next pre-season.
“But we didn't speak about the market. Also because, at the moment, we don't know if we'll be able to go into the market.”
Should Chelsea be unable to add to their squad, they can use some of the 41 players that have been loaned out this term instead.
Standard Sport understands Ola Aina and Reece James are already under consideration, but the likes of Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori could also be involved, while more experienced players Tiemoue Bakayoko and Kurt Zouma would be available to call upon too.
Sarri said: “I like to play with young players. For me, that's not a problem. Every month I have a report about the players on loan. Of course, we need to consider who is ready.
“Two or three players who are very interesting, of course. But we need to consider the level (they are playing at).”
Midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has established himself in the senior squad having progressed through the academy, believes FIFA’s ruling could be a blessing in disguise for the junior members within the ranks or on loan.
He added: “If the club is banned from making any transfers, then we'd have to keep the squad we have and bring some of the loan players back in, and that would give them an opportunity to play more.
“But, for me, that's not something that should be used to get an opportunity to play. It should be down to hard work and playing well.
“When the young players come on the pitch at Stamford Bridge, they always get a fantastic reception. The fans respect us and believe in us.
“That would be a good thing for us young players, to have an opportunity to play more, if we do get a ban. But that's something we have to thank the fans for.”
