CONTE HUNGRY FOR THE FULL ENGLISH... AND WANTS OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN FOR STARTERS!
ANTONIO Conte will try to inject more British blood into his squad by stepping up interest in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Ross Barkley.
The England internationals are both into the final year of their contracts and set to move this summer.
Arsenal winger Oxlade-Chamberlain, 23, has been the subject of interest from Liverpool.
Chelsea are also considering a move although they have yet to make any formal approach as they weigh up other targets.
The champions want to add up to four more players before the transfer market closes next month, and wing-backs and midfielders are Costa’s priority.
Juventus left back Alex Sandro remains a major target, but Chelsea are juggling options because Conte’s squad is only three off the Premier League limit of 17 “non-homegrown” players.
Inter Milan are not keen to sell Antonio Candreva, who plays in a similar position to Oxlade-Chamberlain, but the English option makes sense.
After years of success built on players such as John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole, Gary Cahill is the last Briton standing in Chelsea’s first-team squad.
If Arsenal were to sell Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsene Wenger would step into the hunt for Barkley. Tottenham and Chelsea are longterm admirers, but have been deterred by the £25 million price-tag.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman confirmed Barkley was “100%” leaving Goodison Park this summer and there will be no shortage of clubs interested in the 23-year-old midfielder.
Chelsea are also keen on Everton’s Tom Davies, although prising the 19-year-old midfielder from the Merseyside club would be an altogether different and more expensive proposition.
Conte revealed this week how he would love to buy Harry Kane and tried to buy Kyle Walker from Tottenham. But the champions were unwilling to pay the £54m paid by Manchester City for England right back Walker.
Conte is also a big fan of Spurs left back Danny Rose, but he is injured and not for sale. Finding homegrown talent to maximise the 25-man limit is an expensive business and raises the question why Chelsea allowed so many of their own young players to leave.
Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Ake have been sold this summer and others have gone out on loan.
Dominic Solanke ran down his contract because he was concerned with his lack of opportunities at Stamford Bridge and has moved to Liverpool.
Conte offered an eloquent explanation in an interview in Singapore this week. Those coming through the ranks at the Bridge cannot boast the experience and game-time of those who emerge elsewhere because the Chelsea team is so strong and hard to break into.
Chalobah, Ake and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were all part of Conte’s squad last season, but played very rarely and made it clear they were longing for more regular football.
“The young player wants to play regularly, he wants to go on loan,” said Conte. “The young player, he doesn’t want to suffer.”