Conte plots defender clear-out
ANTONIO CONTE is ready to launch a ruthless defensive clear-out following Chelsea’s calamitous 3-0 defeat by Arsenal on Saturday. Branislav Ivanovic and central defender Gary Cahill, at fault for Arsenal’s first goal, are expected to be phased out as the Chelsea boss looks to bolster his back four, who have conceded seven goals in three league games. Conte failed to land his top defensive targets in the summer — Leonardo Bonucci of Juventus and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly — but has his eye on signing a new full back and two centre backs. Burnley’s Michael Keane and Middlesbrough’s Ben Gibson are two who are being watched. John Terry and fellow centre back Kurt Zouma will return from injury in the coming weeks.
ANTONIO CONTe and his players held an angry half-time inquest as Chelsea were crushed by Arsenal inside 45 minutes on Saturday.
Conte’s men were humiliated and produced one of the most woeful defensive displays from a Chelsea side in recent memory.
Nothing should detract from Arsenal’s dazzling football, as goals from Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil crowned Arsene Wenger’s 20-year anniversary as manager in style.
But the dismal nature of Chelsea’s defending will be highlighted by Conte today when he forces his players to watch a replay of the match during a debrief at their Cobham training centre.
There could be consequences for at least three of the four players who started in Chelsea’s back four as Conte plans an overhaul in the next two transfer windows.
Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill will both be phased out in the coming months as Conte looks to sign at least two new centre backs.
And despite only rejoining the club on August 31, there will also be debate about whether the ideal slot for David Luiz is as a first- choice central defender, or elsewhere in the team.
John Terry, who is nearing a return to fitness, should be available for next week’s clash against Hull but, at 35, Conte knows he must locate a replacement for the Chelsea skipper.
For now, though, Conte’s hands are largely tied as he looks to rectify the defensive frailties that have marred their start to the season, though Kurt Zouma could soon return after seven months out injured.
He is needed. Sanchez chipped the ball over Thibaut Courtois after Cahill’s error for the first goal, Walcott finished off a fine move from close range for the second and Ozil exchanged passes with Sanchez before striking the third. All within the first 40 minutes.
Conte was visibly agitated when questioned about his side’s shocking display at the back.
‘Was I angry at half-time? Yes, but I prefer to keep my words, because it’s right when I talk with my players, to keep what I tell them,’ Conte said.
‘This is normal. Sure I was angry, but my players were also angry. Because we weren’t satisfied with our game, with our performance. I don’t sleep, sure. I don’t sleep. This is normal. After this game, this defeat, it’s normal for me not to sleep. I reflect. And it’s important to reflect.’ There’s plenty to reflect on.
SUPER STAT: Chelsea went 3-0 down at half time in a Premier League game for the first time since May 2012 (v Liverpool).
ARSENAL (4-2-3-1): Cech 6.5; Bellerin 8, Mustafi 8, Koscielny 8, Monreal 7; Coquelin 6.5 (Xhaka 32, 7), Cazorla 7.5; Iwobi 7.5 (Gibbs 69, 6.5), Ozil 8, Walcott 7.5; Sanchez 8.5 (Giroud 79, 6). Subs not used: Ospina, Perez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Holding. Scorers: Sanchez 11, Walcott 14, Ozil 40. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois 6.5; Ivanovic 5.5, Cahill 4, Luiz 5.5, Azpilicueta 5.5; Kante 6, Matic 6.5; Willian 6.5 (Pedro 71, 5.5), Fabregas 5 (Alonso 55, 6), Hazard 6.5 (Batshuayi 71, 6); Costa 6. Subs not used: Begovic, Oscar, Moses, Chalobah. Booked: Ivanovic, Costa. Man of the match: Alexis Sanchez. Referee: Michael Oliver 7.