I'm not expecting Conte to find the perfect team and formation straight away, and it will probably take many days before we can safely see the direction he is trying to take us.

 

But I do want to see the defence looking solid from the word go. If we start the season with a solid defence it will give priceless time to our attack to gel, otherwise we could be struggling and fall behind and create even more pressure on the team and Conte.

 

So the first big question I'd like answered is where does an out of form Ivanvoic fit into Conte's plans ? Because in the last 18 months has been the biggest problem in defence.

I'm not expecting Conte to find the perfect team and formation straight away, and it will probably take many days before we can safely see the direction he is trying to take us.

But I do want to see the defence looking solid from the word go. If we start the season with a solid defence it will give priceless time to our attack to gel, otherwise we could be struggling and fall behind and create even more pressure on the team and Conte.

So the first big question I'd like answered is where does an out of form Ivanvoic fit into Conte's plans ? Because in the last 18 months has been the biggest problem in defence.

I don't think he can unless he's playing in the CB role.

The right back area should be Dave's now as Ivan simply cannot keep up with the play anymore and now everyone we face exposes him as our big weakness. That itself brings up another problem though with the LB area (if we don't go down the wing back options) as Dave is our best right and left back with only Baba there to fill in and we all know he isn't up to task yet.

Conte seems to feed off a back line of battlers and warriors so I can only imagine he is wanting a few players of his own to come in and I really hope we get them as like you say everything good starts from the back.

Remember when Ivan used to be a goal scoring machine, superb header of the ball, but now that spring has sprung and left him looking very lumpy. Fantastic servant to the club and full respect for one of our 190512 GODS !! But your time has come my son.

I'm not expecting Conte to find the perfect team and formation straight away, and it will probably take many days before we can safely see the direction he is trying to take us.

But I do want to see the defence looking solid from the word go. If we start the season with a solid defence it will give priceless time to our attack to gel, otherwise we could be struggling and fall behind and create even more pressure on the team and Conte.

So the first big question I'd like answered is where does an out of form Ivanvoic fit into Conte's plans ? Because in the last 18 months has been the biggest problem in defence.

I really hope not his legs have gone. He should put some trust in Aina and play him next season. We don't have any European football so having a huge squad of superstars won't work and will only end up one way. I really thought he would go to 3 at the back but playing 424 were does cesc play can't see him playing as one of the sitting players in the middle.

Remember when Ivan used to be a goal scoring machine, superb header of the ball, but now that spring has sprung and left him looking very lumpy. Fantastic servant to the club and full respect for one of our 190512 GODS !! But your time has come my son.

 

Really? One of the few left in the team who plays for the badge, gives it 100% every game, and one of the most experienced in the squad - he's won it all. Can't see Cahill, Miazaga, Zouma et al. wacking two in against Pool, knocking Napoli out in ET, or winning the EL at the death.

 

So he's had a rough season, while playing out of position, but who in the team hasn't? A few goals leaked from RB but that's not all down to him IMO - deeper midfield offered no protection all season, playing alongside a sub-par Cahill much of the time, and for some strange reason he was always pushed upfield when he doesn't have the legs to do so, nor play as RB.

 

For me he's the closest thing to JT - a true warrior. Hoping Conte can manage him in a shift to CB... Would be surprised if Conte didn't utilise him in a two or three CB formation alongside JT and/or someone new along the lines of Bonucci. 

Really? One of the few left in the team who plays for the badge, gives it 100% every game, and one of the most experienced in the squad - he's won it all. Can't see Cahill, Miazaga, Zouma et al. wacking two in against Pool, knocking Napoli out in ET, or winning the EL at the death.

 

So he's had a rough season, while playing out of position, but who in the team hasn't? A few goals leaked from RB but that's not all down to him IMO - deeper midfield offered no protection all season, playing alongside a sub-par Cahill much of the time, and for some strange reason he was always pushed upfield when he doesn't have the legs to do so, nor play as RB.

 

For me he's the closest thing to JT - a true warrior. Hoping Conte can manage him in a shift to CB... Would be surprised if Conte didn't utilise him in a two or three CB formation alongside JT and/or someone new along the lines of Bonucci. 

Nobody doubts his commitment, nor his ability in the past. But last season he was lacking that ability all season. Seems like his legs have gone.

As for playing out of position, thats a moot point. He's always played RB at Chelsea so whether its his preferred position or not is irrelevant, he knows it inside out and its not an excuse for poor performances

Also think Ivan is maybe on his last season, unless he picks up dramatically, time looks to have caught him.

Nobody doubts his commitment, nor his ability in the past. But last season he was lacking that ability all season. Seems like his legs have gone.

As for playing out of position, thats a moot point. He's always played RB at Chelsea so whether its his preferred position or not is irrelevant, he knows it inside out and its not an excuse for poor performances

 

Have to agree. For a while one of my favourite players. Great defender, would die for the cause and has scored so many important goals. But he looks well past his best and as soon as you see his name on the team sheet at RB, you fear the worst and I don't want to start resenting the guy.

Have to agree. For a while one of my favourite players. Great defender, would die for the cause and has scored so many important goals. But he looks well past his best and as soon as you see his name on the team sheet at RB, you fear the worst and I don't want to start resenting the guy.

I'd happily keep him here as a back up centre back/ right back, provided Aina, Dave and Baba all stay with the team to cover the full back positions, he's a good character to have around the squad, but there is no doubting that his legs have gone completely, he was getting roasted by every quick left winger in the league last season from the very first game when Montero consistently planted him on his arse. I'm sure he can still do a job if we have a few injuries, but as a starter here, that time is past. 

Also, on that, is Baba going out on loan? I thought i read that somewhere, in which case we badly need a left back. Dave is a right back, as is Aina, and our other best left back is playing for Bournemouth this season. 

Fun to see how Conte sees Branna. I'm expecting him to rely on Ivan like our last managers did.

It's painful to watch Branna at right back, we can't rely on him to do a job there anymore, his legs have gone, how we didn't notice that and take him out of the team early last season, I don't know. However, I wouldn't be opposed to playing him at centre back, I'd play him over Cahill personally, who I think likewise, has become unreliable and he's probably mentally gone after the Euro's.

Edited July 20, 20169 yr by Floyd25

Really? One of the few left in the team who plays for the badge, gives it 100% every game, and one of the most experienced in the squad - he's won it all. Can't see Cahill, Miazaga, Zouma et al. wacking two in against Pool, knocking Napoli out in ET, or winning the EL at the death.

 

So he's had a rough season, while playing out of position, but who in the team hasn't? A few goals leaked from RB but that's not all down to him IMO - deeper midfield offered no protection all season, playing alongside a sub-par Cahill much of the time, and for some strange reason he was always pushed upfield when he doesn't have the legs to do so, nor play as RB.

 

For me he's the closest thing to JT - a true warrior. Hoping Conte can manage him in a shift to CB... Would be surprised if Conte didn't utilise him in a two or three CB formation alongside JT and/or someone new along the lines of Bonucci. 

i think he has declined for the past three season, not just last season

he's one of the greats, but he's past it

Nobody doubts his commitment, nor his ability in the past. But last season he was lacking that ability all season. Seems like his legs have gone.

As for playing out of position, thats a moot point. He's always played RB at Chelsea so whether its his preferred position or not is irrelevant, he knows it inside out and its not an excuse for poor performances

 

Fair point - I may be grasping at straws here to keep one of our club greats here... He may have lost the edge to play RB but I still think he has more to offer at CB - I've always seen him as a CB who was pushed to fill in a RB spot as Paulo declined, Beletti left, and Bosingwa slowly got found out. To me, a less mobile Brana - RB -> CB seems logical, then again I'm no football manager... See how Conte handles it.

 

Personally I'd have him at CB rather than Cahill - he's pretty hit-and-miss - seems to be out of position a lot and turned inside-out far too often.

 

We all thought Terry was a gonner, legs gone, too slow etc. back in 2011/12, but has carried on at the top level for another three years.

i think he has declined for the past three season, not just last season

he's one of the greats, but he's past it

 

Have to disagree - he was the best RB in the PL in 14/15 and made team of the season. I'd like to keep him for one more campaign, first team or not. Say JT and/or Cahill are injured, with Zouma still a while away, it would be a massive mistake to let Ivanovic go even if we do sign a new (possibly PL unproven) CB.

Conte: 'In the future I want to see other young players like Abraham and Solanke. I am very happy to have young players to work with...'

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Also think Ivan is maybe on his last season, unless he picks up dramatically, time looks to have caught him.

Time had caught up with him at the start of 15-16 season, then we had to witness jose consistently pick him, till even he practically said its Branas fault.....

So after a week with the team last night I thought we could see the beginnings of his ideas for the team on the pitch.

Looks like the wingers and central midfielders have their work cut out for them especially, looks like a lot of running will be involved.

Willian is going to excel with that sort of responsibility, if he can just improve his final ball/decision making in the final third he could rack up a lot of assists from the wide right.

Can see why the club went for Kante too, he's mobility and athleticism will work well if we play in the fashion we did last night.

When does Kante join the squad ?

Probaly has another run of days to relax after the Euros, Kante seeing it being much longer.

He must be having kittens about that defending though.

Baba looks awful and the centre backs didn't fill me with much confidence either. Need Zouma back asap and 2 new defenders

He must be having kittens about that defending though.

Baba looks awful and the centre backs didn't fill me with much confidence either. Need Zouma back asap and 2 new defenders

The defence is worrying although we have linked with bonucci, koulibaly, manolas, mustafi, and now Lindelof, you would think one of those will end up here. I also think mussachio would be a good cheaper alternative.

Im a bit concerned theres been no links with any left backs. Maybe aina will force himself into the team.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/692265/Chelsea-news-Michy-Batshuayi-Antonio-Conte-training

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/692265/Chelsea-news-Michy-Batshuayi-Antonio-Conte-training

 

Batshuayi was Chelsea's first - and only so far - summer signing under Conte

sh*t. All that talk of Kante signing was all a hoax, then.

I think dkw must have photoshopped that picture of him with his new jersey.

You wonder who writes this sh*t and even worse, the sports boss mustn't have a clue or check it

You wonder who writes this sh*t and even worse, the sports boss mustn't have a clue or check it

It was the Express. You expect too much.