Conte ‘must improve’ squad next season
£110m race for Mbappe
CHELSEA must “improve the numbers and quality” in their squad over the summer, said manager Antonio Conte after the FA Cup final loss to Arsenal.
The Blues were crowned Premier League champions earlier this month in Conte’s first season at Stamford Bridge.
However, they missed out on the double after a 2-1 defeat by the Gunners at Wembley on Saturday.
“This season we did something great with the players,” said Conte. “We must be cold and analyse the situation.”
Chelsea became the first English side to record 30 top-flight victories in a 38-game season and finished seven points clear of runners-up Tottenham.
They were favourites to win the FA Cup for an eighth time but they were second best on the day to Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, who lifted the trophy for a record 13th time after finishing fifth in the league.
“The most important thing is to give a correct evaluation of our season,” said Italian Conte.
“It’s very important to understand that this season for us was incredible. Every single player put so much work in.
“For next season we must pay great attention and understand that we have to improve the numbers and the quality in the squad.”
Alexis Sanchez put Arsenal ahead after only five minutes at Wembley on Saturday and Chelsea were reduced to 10 men in the second half following Victor Moses’ second yellow card.
And although Diego Costa equalised to give the Blues hope, Aaron Ramsey headed in the winner three minutes later.
After the game, Conte refuted claims his players struggled to raise themselves for the final having already secured the league title.
“We won the league and it was right to celebrate and enjoy this win,” he added.
“My players put all of themselves into the game, maybe our start wasn’t good and the impact and approach wasn’t good and Arsenal pushed a lot.
“We paid for this start.” — BBC Sport MANCHESTER CITY are locked in a record £110million race for Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe.
City and Real Madrid are the ONLY clubs who have lodged an official interest in the striker, 18.
And the French outfit’s asking price will eclipse the £89m Manchester United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba last summer.
United and Paris Saint-Germain are eyeing the situation too.
The two big-spending clubs have kicked off the race for the most sought-after teenager in the game which will hot up in the run-up to the end of the season.
Mbappe netted in both matches against City as Monaco dumped Pep Guardiola’s men out of the Champions League in the last 16. The France striker’s dream is to join Madrid. And while City may be reluctant to spend world record fee on an 18-year-old it might be their only chance to snatch him from under the noses of Real.
Jose Mourinho’s United have been sounded out but so far they have yet to declare their hand.
The man expected to do the deal is Mourinho’s super-agent Jorge Mendes who also took Anthony Martial from Monaco to United.
Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested but unlikely to bid that high while big-spending PSG are also keen.
Monaco would rather sell up and keep the youngster for another season on loan, but are unlikely to get their wish given the amount involved. — The Sun