Chelsea bid to continue solid start under Conte

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Watford (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte will pit his wits against a familiar face on Saturday as his side travel to face a Watford side coached by fellow Italian Walter Mazzarri.

Conte was recruited by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy partly because of his reputation as a determined and demanding coach, qualities he demonstrated with Italy and Juventus.

The 47-year-old’s animated reaction to Diego Costa’s late winner on Monday in their Premier League opener against West Ham United confirmed that whatever happens during his first season in charge, Conte will lead from the front as he attempts to reverse the decline of last season.

His impact has already been felt, with Costa and Eden Hazard in particular responding positively to the new man’s methods, if that first game is anything to go by.

Centre-back Gary Cahill is clear Conte’s arrival has brought changes in the wake of last season when Jose Mourinho oversaw a disastrous first half of the campaign before Guus Hiddink helped steady the ship.

“He’s added spirit, he’s added organisation and a lot of discipline,” Cahill told the club’s official website.

“Players know exactly what their role should be at each individual time they’re on the pitch.

“He wants to win. You can see how animated he is on the side of the pitch and he’s like that when we’re working. He wants to win, just like the rest of us.”

It will take more than passion, hard work and an energetic celebration or two to steer Chelsea back into title contention although given how badly a league-winning team lost its way last year to finish 10th, creating a new, winning mentality is right up there on Conte’s to-do list.

The manager, though, is also keen to strengthen the squad and hopes to add Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly and Everton striker Romelu Lukaku before the end of this month.

Dinamo Zagreb keeper Eduardo also appears to be on his way to west London with the arrival of the Portuguese likely to trigger the departure of Asmir Begovic.

Mazzarri oversaw a creditable opening-day 1-1 draw at Southampton in his first game in charge since being installed as successor to Quique Sanchez Flores.

Like Conte, Mazzarri does not believe his squad is complete and the club is stepping up its efforts to bring in Sunderland centre-back Younes Kaboul and Juventus winger Roberto Pereyra.

Pereyra is believed to be on the brink of signing a five-year deal and the business could even be concluded in time for the Argentina international to face Chelsea.

They will be without Ben Watson, however, after the midfielder was sent off at St Mary’s just 12 minutes after appearing as a substitute.

Isaac Success, the club’s £12.5 million ($ 16.4m, 14.4m euros) signing from Granada, is again unlikely to feature while he builds up his match fitness.

The post Chelsea bid to continue solid start under Conte appeared first on World Soccer Talk.

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Chelsea Eye Coveted Brazilian Starlet As Conte Revamps Squad

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Antonio Conte’s Chelsea rebuilding job could be going better.

He’s been frustrated in the transfer market so far this summer, and has only managed to capture Leicester City’s N’Golo Kante and Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi.

But the Italian manager is about to raid South America to kickstart his spending spree, with Santos midfielder Thiago Maia a target in a £15 million deal.

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The 19-year-old holding midfielder is part of Brazil’s Olympic squad, and will be scouted further by Chelsea chiefs as they look for reinforcements.

They’ve already made contact about the player, so will be ahead of any rival clubs should he attract any more interest while playing in Rio.

Thanks to the weird way contracts seem to work in Brazil, the player himself is due 30% of any transfer fee, meaning he could be set for a £4.5 million settlement if he does move to London. That could probably get you a month’s rent in Chelsea…

Maia’s agent is the infamous Kia Joorabchian, who sprung to fame when he brokered the deal that took Javier Mascherano and Carlos Tevez to West Ham in 2006, so there may be a prolonged negotiation period.

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Conte is hoping that signing Maia will kick off a busy end to the transfer window for his side, with moves for Romelu Lukaku and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the pipeline.

Everton are playing hard ball with Lukaku and holding out for a whopping £75 million fee, and Napoli will make Chelsea pay top dollar for their powerful centre back.

The Blues are ready to bid £40m for the Senegal international, and should they get Lukaku as well, their total spending will be over £150m.

Looks like Conte’s rebuild isn’t coming cheap.

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Chelsea Fan Favourite To Be Sold After Failing To Impress Conte

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Antonio Conte’s Chelsea rebuild is in full swing, as the Italian clears some dead wood from his squad.

Diego Costa is being linked with a move back to Atletico Madrid, there are plenty of doubts over Nemanja Matic’s future, and now another Blues midfielder is set to be shown the door.

Brazilian playmaker Oscar has become a fan favourite during his time in west London, but is set to leave after Conte was less than impressed with his work rate.

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It’s an accusation that has followed Oscar for the last few years – former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho also found the talented 24-year-old lacking at times.

Conte was unimpressed with his man after Chelsea’s 3-2 defeat to Real Madrid in America on Saturday, as he turned in another lethargic display.

The former Internacional midfielder has been interesting Inter Milan, and will be allowed to leave if the Italian giants can stump up the £30m asking price.

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After the game, Conte was asked if Oscar has a place in his squad, to which the Italian boss replied:

All 29 players are Chelsea’s players at the moment. After this period I speak with my club.

I agree after this tour to see all the players and then to take a decision. When we finish this period I will take the right decision for the player and for the club.

There are players who will stay and others will go. This is football. It is important to be clear with all.

My aim is to become a team on and off the pitch.

To reach our target at the end of the season.

My experience in my career as player and manager teaches me if you want to fight for the title you must be a team on and off the pitch. It’s very important.

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It’s clear that Conte sees teamwork as an important trait, and Oscar arguably doesn’t fit in with the style.

Another who has fallen short of standard is Baba Rahman, who is set to join Schalke 04 on a season long loan, just a year after joining Chelsea for £20m.

Looks like Conte doesn’t mind making big decisions quickly.

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