Roman, lend me your ears
Conte gets rare meeting with Blues owner over unsettled future
LONDON: Antonio Conte got a rare meeting with Roman Abramovich last week as the Chelsea owner tries to keep hold of his unsettled manager, according to reports.
The Italian delivered the Blues the English Premier League title in his debut season with a few expert changes to the squad that had flopped so dramatically in the previous campaign.
But the Times reports a meeting was held last week to thrash out concerns about Conte’s new contract offer, transfer targets and the general restructuring of some club policies.
After losing Branislav Ivanovic in February and John Terry at the end of the season – losing patience with Diego Costa – Conte was expected to have a busy transfer window.
But there have still been no confirmed arrivals at Stamford Bridge despite reports that Tiemoue Bakayoko is in London having a medical and Alex Sandro is hot on his heels.
While doing his best James Bond impression on holiday in Italy, Conte has been in daily contract with Abramovich’s righthand woman Maria Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emenalo.
An audience with the Russian oligarch is usually harder to secure but it was the media-shy Blues owner who called on the sit-down.
Conte has been promised over £200mil (RM1bil) to reinforce his side and they could unveil half a team on one day to keep their sought-after manager happy.
SunSport revealed that Chelsea are not planning on unveiling any of their new signings until July 1 when they can be paraded in their new kits, to the delight of big-spending sponsors.
The club will increase sale venues as fans snap up replica memorabilia. It will cost around £60 (RM335) to get a new kit with a player’s name and number on the back.
A source said: “It makes sense from a marketing perspective to wait and not rush by the club showing off signings.
“Rather than reveal the player with an old kit, supporters will be lured in by the new one with a star name on the back.
“It’s a normal tactic and has been done by dozens of other clubs in the past, but it is successful and worth it.” — The Sun, London