Chelsea under Conte | Let's sign the next Hazard, literally.

Gandalf Greyhame

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They've gone under the radar a bit once Conte was announced as manager, with Pep, Jose, Klopp and Wenger dominating headlines. After their disastrous defence of the title - how will they react?

They obviously have the quality - with top players in Hazard, Willian, Fabregas, Matic, Cahill, Azpi and Courtois. How many of them will stay? Who will they bring in? What will be their expectations for the coming season?

I personally think that right now, they have a better chance of top four than Liverpool, West Ham or Southampton. As good a chance as us, even if we get Mourinho and Zlatan. Disaster of a season, finished off strongly under Hiddink.

So what does the Caf think?
 
I think they'll retain top 4 status, probably at the expense of Spurs, who i actually see less likely to repeat their exploits than Leicester.
 
They'll be formidable. I'm honestly more scared of Conte than I am of Guardiola. There'll be a rebuilding job for sure; Conte's Chelsea will look pretty dramatically different from Mourinho's Chelsea I'd say, but Conte is a relentless winner and extremely demanding. Expect his side to fight tooth and nail every match.
 
Mr Smith said:
They'll be formidable. I'm honestly more scared of Conte than I am of Guardiola. There'll be a rebuilding job for sure; Conte's Chelsea will look pretty dramatically different from Mourinho's Chelsea I'd say, but Conte is a relentless winner and extremely demanding. Expect his side to fight tooth and nail every match.
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In the style of play, you mean? I don't see Chelsea changing a lot of players - they already have the goods.
 
They're not remotely threatening and Conte is a big risk. Cahill is their most reliable centre half (which says it all) and they can't quite shake off John Terry. They have some very good players, namely Hazard, Willian and Fabregas, but their side needs some serious work. A hell of a lot more than ours.
 
They need a fair bit of work doing. Cuadrado, Marin, Moses, Atsu and Djilobodji are all still on their books.
 
Gandalf Greyhame said:
In the style of play, you mean? I don't see Chelsea changing a lot of players - they already have the goods.
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Partly their shape, partly their style. Conte likes to pack the midfield, so I reckon we can expect at least another central midfielder coming in, maybe two. I also think it's a distinct possibility he'll play with two strikers up front. If I had to guess, I'd say he'll be playing a diamond midfield, with Hazard (if he stays) at the top of it, with Willian (if he stays) tucked in on the right.

That said, I'm basing this mainly off his time at Juventus (which I've seen quite a bit of) but I don't no much about his career before Juve.
 
I do still think Chelsea have the best squad in the league, I wouldn't be surprised with a top 3 finish from them next year. I share the feelings of the poster who said they fear Conte more than Pep.
 
I think he'll be massively underwhelming. Out of Championship contention by the end of the year and out the door by the close of the season after a bust up and Mexican standoff between him, JT and Roman.
 
Kag said:
They're not remotely threatening and Conte is a big risk. Cahill is their most reliable centre half (which says it all) and they can't quite shake off John Terry. They have some very good players, namely Hazard, Willian and Fabregas, but their side needs some serious work. A hell of a lot more than ours.
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I wouldn't be so sure. This squad won the league and outside of Terry and Ivanovic their squad isn't particularly aging.

They'll need some signings but every team needs signings I'd think, United need at least a striker, winger and CB and then we're still far from a perfect squad.
 
I think this guy will surprise us.

(but not me, because I'm expecting to be surprised, so the only way he can surprise me would be by not being surprising)
 
Conte will be at a disadvantage this year much like LVG in his first season. He will be preoccupied in the Euros and won't be able to access his squad till later on in pre season. Hopefully he will carry Italy far and enter the party late. He has been out of the club scene for a while so won't be as in touch with transfer targets as other managers. This is what I'm hoping. Should deliver a top 4 finish and look to challenge second season.
 
Gandalf Greyhame said:
They've gone under the radar a bit once Conte was announced as manager, with Pep, Jose, Klopp and Wenger dominating headlines. After their disastrous defence of the title - how will they react?

They obviously have the quality - with top players in Hazard, Willian, Fabregas, Matic, Cahill, Azpi and Courtois. How many of them will stay? Who will they bring in? What will be their expectations for the coming season?

I personally think that right now, they have a better chance of top four than Liverpool, West Ham or Southampton. As good a chance as us, even if we get Mourinho and Zlatan. Disaster of a season, finished off strongly under Hiddink.

So what does the Caf think?
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Cahill is a problem. Players like him lower the quality of both England and Chelsea who are used to the Rio's, Terry's Gallas' Carvalho's. They need 2 CB's so Zouma can still be understudy. Costa is actually a top player but rumours of him wanting out. Chelsea have the basis of a title challenge of course. If they get 2 CB's, Hazard finds form, and get a good holding midfielder to partner Matic, then Cesc can play in the hole and revitalise his best Arsenal season scoring and assisting for fun. But they'll keep him deep lying playmaker no doubt
 
Mr Smith said:
Partly their shape, partly their style. Conte likes to pack the midfield, so I reckon we can expect at least another central midfielder coming in, maybe two. I also think it's a distinct possibility he'll play with two strikers up front. If I had to guess, I'd say he'll be playing a diamond midfield, with Hazard (if he stays) at the top of it, with Willian (if he stays) tucked in on the right.

That said, I'm basing this mainly off his time at Juventus (which I've seen quite a bit of) but I don't no much about his career before Juve.
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I remember reports when he arrived at Juve saying his favourite formation was 424 :eek:
The diamond was made specifically for Pirlo who was signed at the same time, he started off with some very attacking formations. I've never seen his Italy though.
 
Dominos said:
I wouldn't be so sure. This squad won the league and outside of Terry and Ivanovic their squad isn't particularly aging.

They'll need some signings but every team needs signings I'd think, United need at least a striker, winger and CB and then we're still far from a perfect squad.
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That Terry and Ivanovic look so poor is why I'm not too worried about them. That's half of a previously top notch defence, which is difficult to replace. Cahill is an issue in that he just isn't very good, which leaves them in a position in that Azpilicueta is probably their only prime defender. Zouma is out for the long haul, too.

I agree with you regarding what we need. But I think we'll get those players in quite efficiently.
 
I think Conte will favour a more dynamic central midfield, hence him looking at Nainggolan. Wouldn't be surprised if they go 4-3-3 a bit more often as well, and if he plays a flatter midfield 3 or with one holding player than he'll need the extra mobility, hence Nainggolan being looked at. Maybe even a diamond at times if Hazard/Willian aren't available.

I can see them being a lot harder to break down, he'll drill the defence well and I think they'll have a good pressing game.
 
Interesting to see whether Conte starting quite late just before pre-season has any influence on Chelsea’s summer and/or early season. Hated when Moyes did it out of his own will, whereas LvG managed a national team in summer ’14, too. Anyway, it’s not ideal for Chelsea, although I’m not sure how much say does the manager have in transfer matters at the Bridge. Emenalo’s ”official” role is ”heading the scouting and academy programs”, so not sure whether it’s him that calls the shots with regards to transfers, either. I feel that United paid the price for the two previous managers starting late, how do Chelsea fans see the situation?
 
I'm not in the slightest bit worried about Chelsea, or Conte. Juventus have done just fine without him. I also see Chelsea falling behind in the pecking order for players considering United and City have pulling power of their managers along with a huge rebuilding job while they're ready to splash the cash. Whereas Abramovich seems to have tightened up the belt in recent years.

Chelsea to finish outside of top 4 unless they sign some ready made quality defenders.
 
I think it will take Conte a year to get the hang of the Premier League and to figure out which Chelsea players aren't worth persisting with. I suspect they will finish just outside the top 4.
 
kundalini said:
I think it will take Conte a year to get the hang of the Premier League and to figure out which Chelsea players aren't worth persisting with. I suspect they will finish just outside the top 4.
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I’m pretty much in this camp, too. There’s not that much evidence that Conte’s a top class manager either, and I agree that adapting to PL might be difficult (just as it was for LvG, for instance). Will be interesting to see whether he’ll try to bring some familiar Italian players with him as there’s not many that would’ve succeeded in England.
 
I can see Conte having some issues adapting to the league as a lot of managers do, but I'm still expecting a strong league showing from Chelsea. Of course it's too early to make predictions with the transfer market about to open, but the squad they have shouldn't be anywhere near as bad as it was last season, and I don't expect them to be as bad again unless Conte falls-out with them immediately and they again start playing to get their manager sacked.

With no European football at all to distract their attentions, I'm expecting a solid top four place (but then I expect the same from about five other teams, so what do I know :lol:).
 
Antisocial said:
I can see Conte having some issues adapting to the league as a lot of managers do, but I'm still expecting a strong league showing from Chelsea. Of course it's too early to make predictions with the transfer market about to open, but the squad they have shouldn't be anywhere near as bad as it was last season, and I don't expect them to be as bad again unless Conte falls-out with them immediately and they again start playing to get their manager sacked.
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The squad is not bad on paper but I don't think it looks that good. On CB they lack cover and class (Zouma will still be out for several month) with the likely pairing being Terry and Cahill again. At full back they only have Azpilicueta that has proven quality (Ake is atleast a prospect). On CDM it's Matic and Mikel both doubtful on whether or not they can perform on a top level for more than a season (Matic) or just for more than a few games (Mikel). Then there is Fabregas who I felt that has been found out big time and the biggest mystery of all: the assembled group of midgets that only god knows why they need that much of them: Hazard, Willian, Oscar, Pedro and (~) Pato. Plus a striker that appears to be leaving.

The way I see it they are in need of investement big time. Every line needs at least one top class reinforcement, e.g. Nainggolan, Stones, Benatia someone of the sorts. They need what the germans call "frisches Blut" (fresh blood). If I were them I'd also try to get my hands on Vardy no matter what Costa does.
 
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It depends on the form of a few key players. They missed Courtois at time last season when he was injured, Begovic is a good deputy but he's not top class. If Costa/Fabregas/Hazard decides they want to stay and are fit all season, then they will be a threat for sure.

They still need to sign a CB. Zouma is out for a long time and is still raw in terms of his development, while Cahill is not a top CB and has been exposed the last few seasons. A full-back would be a good signing as well, Azpi is the only decent one they have left now. Ivanovic recaptured some form but he's 33 now and has never been the quickest player. Baba hasn't worked out so far, and Ake will probably be farmed out on loan again.
 
It works in their favour that they wont have European football next season. I expect them to be very organised defensively and difficult to score against. How high up the table they finish will depend on the form of Hazard/Costa and Conte's ability to get the best out of them.

If all their players play to their potential they have a much stronger squad than us, but still weaker than City
 
Its looking like we are the new arsenal. Run around behind players all over the summer and then sign some obcsure players for 5m a pop.

The only difference is that Wenger always made CL regardless of how shit his squad was. Will Conte be able to do such a thing. Not sure tbh.

In terms of squad strength I think we are joing 4th with spurs and liverpool now. Well behind City, Arsenal and United. A few good signings can change that.
 
If they add Morata, Nainggolan maybe, and Kante plus a CB whoever may be, theyll be bang in the title mix.
 
I think he's going to crash and burn. He's a disciplinarian who doesn't hesitate to slate under-performers (Milos Krasic), and Abramovich seems like the guy who backs players over the coaching staff.
 
Nainggolan is talking about us again. If we get a deal with Roma done we can have him in the team before Conte arrives.

Kante for £20m would be absolutely a steal. If we can nick him that would be amazing and our midfield sorted.

A CB or two would be great. Rudiger, Manolas, Stones... There are plenty still out there for us to obtain. Also, Christensen can be called back and he is up for Monchengladbachs player of the year awards.

Up front, depending on what he wants to play we can go in for a striker but we are pretty sorted there as long as Hazard, Costa and Co. Perform.

Also, linked to Asamoah and Lichtensteiner too.
 
Gol123 said:
Nainggolan is talking about us again. If we get a deal with Roma done we can have him in the team before Conte arrives.

Kante for £20m would be absolutely a steal. If we can nick him that would be amazing and our midfield sorted.

A CB or two would be great. Rudiger, Manolas, Stones... There are plenty still out there for us to obtain. Also, Christensen can be called back and he is up for Monchengladbachs player of the year awards.

Up front, depending on what he wants to play we can go in for a striker but we are pretty sorted there as long as Hazard, Costa and Co. Perform.

Also, linked to Asamoah and Lichtensteiner too.
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What else can help us after a season of mediocrity, yes more mediocre players.

Also, Christensen is not coming back this season for sure. Now Rudiger has an ACL tear and Naingollan is talking about how he does not want to join Chelsea. :lol:
 
They should just promote some of their younger talents and give them an opportunity. It's a shame to see that one of the best youth academies in Europe is being so underused. The fans will probably won't mind some bad results too as long as the young players are used.
 
salford_ said:
If they add Morata, Nainggolan maybe, and Kante plus a CB whoever may be, theyll be bang in the title mix.
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If they can do this plus a new right back.. the squad is very well set to get top 4 minimum. It's all about the mental strength in that side and quality of new signings.. if both are spot on next year, Chelsea will be a threat.

A fit and firing Hazard, Costa/Morata, Willian is a brilliant attack.
 
KM said:
They should just promote some of their younger talents and give them an opportunity. It's a shame to see that one of the best youth academies in Europe is being so underused. The fans will probably won't mind some bad results too as long as the young players are used.
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Not like they're not used to bad results anyway.
 
KM said:
They should just promote some of their younger talents and give them an opportunity. It's a shame to see that one of the best youth academies in Europe is being so underused. The fans will probably won't mind some bad results too as long as the young players are used.
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Since Glenn Hoddle was appointed in 1993 and the modern day Chelsea started, they've used and produced very few of their own players. Chelsea have build their success in the last 23 years solely on big name (and mostly foreign) signings, they still used the likes of Michael Duberry, Andy Myers, Eddie Newton. Frank Sinclair, Jody Morris, Mark Nicholls and a few others, but they left as time went and were always replaced by a signing apart from Terry, who managed to keep his place. Although I think I've read somewhere that Vialli wanted to sell him too, and that would probably had happened, had he not been sacked in 2000.
 
Lurpak99 said:
Since Glenn Hoddle was appointed in 1993 and the modern day Chelsea started, they've used and produced very few of their own players. Chelsea have build their success in the last 23 years solely on big name (and mostly foreign) signings, they still used the likes of Michael Duberry, Andy Myers, Eddie Newton. Frank Sinclair, Jody Morris, Mark Nicholls and a few others, but they left as time went and were always replaced by a signing apart from Terry, who managed to keep his place. Although I think I've read somewhere that Vialli wanted to sell him too, and that would probably had happened, had he not been sacked in 2000.
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I'm aware of their poor record with regards to home grown talent, but in the last five years or so, they've some ridiculous talents coming up in their youth academies and have dominated Europe and Domestic tournaments. It seems staggering to me that not a single one of those youth players have been deemed good enough to play(except of Loftus Cheek and that too in pointless matches) by different managers with different philosophies. The one common factor in all this is obviously Roman Abrahamovich.
 
KM said:
I'm aware of their poor record with regards to home grown talent, but in the last five years or so, they've some ridiculous talents coming up in their youth academies and have dominated Europe and Domestic tournaments. It seems staggering to me that not a single one of those youth players have been deemed good enough to play(except of Loftus Cheek and that too in pointless matches) by different managers with different philosophies. The one common factor in all this is obviously Roman Abrahamovich.
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I'm not sure it's Abramovich's fault as such, I simply think their managers feel the pressure to win every time, so they don't have the balls to let the young ones play. Sometimes it can also be an ego thing, for example Hiddink this spring using some young players, but when Chelsea started to lose a couple of games in a row, he went back to the experienced ones again for no obvious reason (since Chelsea was out of everything), other than to make his own record look a bit better.
 
AshfordLad said:
What else can help us after a season of mediocrity, yes more mediocre players.

Also, Christensen is not coming back this season for sure. Now Rudiger has an ACL tear and Naingollan is talking about how he does not want to join Chelsea. :lol:
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Bore off mate.
 
You cannot compare 90s Chelsea with the current one in terms of their academy quality, they invested a lot of resources into their youth in late 00s and should be benefiting from that soon. Some of their young talent is incredible and do not forget they had players like De Bruyne and Lukaku who they bought at a very young age and could have used more.
 
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