Conte frustrated as Chelsea launches title defence in EPL
Antonio Conte missed out on two of his top transfer targets, saw a key player sold against his wishes, and feels the current Chelsea squad is ill-equipped to handle the addition of the Champions League to its schedule.
No wonder the Italian coach cuts a frustrated figure heading into the start of Chelsea’s Premier League title defence.
Going into Saturday’s home match against Burnley, it could even be argued that Chelsea is beginning the season in a weaker position despite a summer outlay of around $228 million.
So much for building from a position of strength.
Will new striker Alvaro Morata be as effective up front as Diego Costa, who has been told by Conte via text message that he isn’t part of his plans? Is new midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko a significant upgrade on Nemanja Matic, who was sold to rival Manchester United in one of the most head-scratching moves of the summer window?
Chelsea was beaten to the signature of striker Romelu Lukaku by United, while Conte has also acknowledged that he tried to sign right back Kyle Walker, who ended up leaving Tottenham to join Manchester City.
It leaves Chelsea needing a new midfielder as well as reinforcements at wing back in the final days of the transfer window. Conte clearly wanted his squad in better shape at this stage, especially considering City and United — potentially Chelsea’s biggest challengers this season — have been more decisive in the transfer market.
“It’s very important to try to find the right solution, to try to improve the squad,” Conte said this week at the Premier League launch.
Conte referenced the last time Chelsea defended the league title. It was the 2015-16 season and the team finished embarrassingly in 10th place, with coach Jose Mourinho fired before Christmas.
“For sure we want to avoid the Mourinho season,” said Conte, although that really would be the worst-case scenario.
Things are more comfortable on the personal front for Conte, who recently signed a new, improved contract and will have his family living with him in London this season. He has a year’s experience of the Premier League and of English culture behind him, too.
This season will undoubtedly be tougher, though.
The last team to retain the Premier League was United in 2009 and Chelsea, which wasn’t in European competition last season, now has the Champions League clogging up the schedule. United and City will be a tougher prospect now Mourinho and Pep Guardiola have something close to their ideal squads.
Here are other things to look out for on the opening round of the season: Uncertain Futures The season starts with uncertainty surrounding the future of a number of high-profile players.
Leicester winger Riyad Mahrez and Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk have both handed in transfer requests this off-season but have yet to seal a move. Mahrez could feature against Arsenal on Friday, but Van Dijk is currently training away from the Southampton squad and won’t play against Swansea on Saturday. Rooney’s Return Wayne Rooney will make his first league start for Everton since returning to Goodison Park from Manchester United, but it will be his third competitive appearance in his second spell with his boyhood club.