Quote

 

"I could have gone to Chelsea and many other clubs, but starting something knew when you are 28, 29, in a new culture, another lifestyle, that's not for me," he told Belgium's Sport Voetbal Magazine.

"I prefer to stay where I feel good.”

He added: "If money were my only motivation, I would have changed clubs many times and my salary would have grown, but my first priority is to live well.

 

So this is a lie?

The point is money is not a sole motivation for everyone. Regardless of whether or not a fee was agreed with Roma he pretty clearly indicates he could have made it happen if he had wanted to. Which is my point. These players we seem to be going after don't particularly care to leave or come play here. Morata wanted to come here, we bid for him and it was resolved because he actually wanted out of Madrid. Same with Barkley, Everton knew they had no chance of keeping him, so they knew they had to sell him or get nothing. When players want to join a new club especially gifted players they get their way. If Sandro had told Juve in June he wanted out and didnt want to play in Turin they would have snapped our hands off for 70m.     

 

 

Edited March 3, 20188 yr by TheChelseaBlues

9 hours ago, Gentian said:

I have being a Chelsea fan since the Zola and Vialli days. Its sad to see that we have made no improvements on personnel the past couple of seasons especially but I am even more saddened to see the pesimisim of our own fans. Before Conte We asked for manager to offer us some stability after finishing 10th, (he eon us premier league)play a few youngsters (Christiansen regular, next year no doubt one more will break through in ampadu or Odoi). We ask for patience from the board yet we are not patient yourselves. We bought palmieri a Roma reserve after a major injury. Barkley injured lack of fitness that won't see full potential until next season. Giroud which i like but an Arsenal reserve player, yet we expect Conte to do miracles with these players. Who do we expect to take over from Conte? Do we really think we will do better? Do you really think he will give time to youth knowing fully well if he doesn't deliver immediately he is gone! 

Good post. Conte has certainly been better to youth than any manager since Carlo. I think even if we miss the top 4 we would do well to back him in the market, remove some of the expensive fat from the squad and let him bring through a new generation of Chelsea players. 

Regardless of who is in the dug out next season, we need to make better signings. Not necessarily spent more money, but the players we bring in, have be clearly better, or potentially better, that the players we sell. 

Conte is a world class manager, I think he can fight the Manchester clubs, if we give him better tools, at least enough to keep him happy, and not digging out the board at every presser.

13 hours ago, Gentian said:

I agree. Also, Giroud is 2 years younger. However, point is that we have a huge problem closing deals the last couple of years and we can't blame emenealo anymore so who is doing these negotiations. 

I would be amazed if it not Roman who stipulates how much money he is prepared to pay for a player. It's his train set, the board are just middle management in the wider scheme IMO

Edited March 3, 20188 yr by Ewell CFC

13 hours ago, enigma said:

It kind of feels like going around in circles repeating it often. We needed depth but also, how do we upgrade on a first team which won the league? Costa left, nothing we could do there. We either replaced him with Morata or lukaku.

Matic was probably the other loss from the first team. Apart from that did anybody really foresee certain players would regress? Hindsight is a wonderful  thing. 

How do you replace a first team which won the league so well the year previous? The club were pursuing Sandro,  but juventus were unwilling to let him leave.

We were after nainggolan but we couldn't get him. Other players we were after either didn't want to come or were not allowed to leave.

People were asking for depth, now we have got it. The club didn't fail for any other reason than their top targets being unattainable. We then turned to the plan b targets. Not much the board can do in this situation. 

It really wasn't that hard to envisage a lot of our players regressing from last season. The evidence was the trends of their careers prior to that season. I.E.

Moses - Couldn't get into West Hams team and Liverpools squad the two seasons prior.

Alonso - Floated around mid table Serie A with no interest from a top side.

Pedro - Was on the decline at Barca and was on an even greater decline at Chelsea. He was also propped up by Messi most of his career.

Luiz - Was wasting away in the French league after being found wanting for Chelsea. Never looked good enough when playing better opponents.

Cahill - Was always found out when the team played more attacking football and age was catching up to him.

Fabregas - Legs were shot and couldn't play in a 2 man midfield because teams would walk through him.

 

All these players were shown to be the level I said with evidence being the seasons prior. It's pure biased lunacy to believe that the rest of their careers was a lie and they had found a true level of ability last season at Chelsea.

What Conte did was find a system where they flourished. WB for Alonso/Moses meant they were often free men in attack and defence and relied on their best attributes; their stamina and work rate. 3 man defence meant Cahill and Luiz were never isolated at the back and they essentially played with 5/7 men in defence at all times; this covered Luiz idiotic charges forwards and Cahills inability to play when isolated. Pedro was playing the exact same role he had at Barca; make runs behind the defence and get on the end of attacks. Fabregas was a super superb,  brought on to unlock defences when legs were tired and his lack of mobility couldn't be exploited as efficiently. That along with simple yet effective tactical instructions lead to the teams amazing form.

The big problem is when teams figured out how to counter the formation, these players have to rely more on individual ability. In that regard, they fall back to their actual ability.

 

Also, there is a big difference between Vidal/Nainggolan  (Two of the best midfielders in the world) and Drinkwater (Mid table at best) it's a failing if the boards that we went from those two players to Drinkwater levels of player. 

Conte said: 'Manchester City had the possibility to spend a lot of money, when you link these two situations - a good manager and much money to spend in the transfer market - and have the same ambition, this is the final result.

'I have great ambition, but I don't have money to spend for Chelsea. The club knows very well what is my idea, what is my ambition. That is very clear.

'That ambition must always be the same. When you decide to work with this type of coach, you must understand that you take a coach with great ambition.

'Not a loser but a winner. For this reason, you must understand this.

'When you have a good manager and a lot of money to spend, probably you can have a successful season.

'Is my ambition shared by them (the club)? I don't know. Now it's important (to focus on) the present, and staying to be focused on the present. These topics are for the future.' Conte led Chelsea to the title last season without spending huge amounts of money.

But the Italian added: 'I think that last season we did a fantastic job. We were a great surprise for the league, but also for our competitors.

'Our competitors didn't rate Chelsea in this way to fight for the title, to win the title. But then, when you start, you have to continue to build something important with the coach.

I have great admiration for Pep, he showed himself to be a great coach. I think that, now, it will be very difficult for other teams to fight Manchester City.

'When you have a great coach and the possibility to spend a lot of money and keep happy your coach and your staff, it's difficult for the others. Very difficult.

'This is a great danger for the panoramic of the other teams. For a long time. The situation is going to improve for City, not to stop.'

 

 

Antonio Conte's outstanding contribution to English football will only be appreciated when he's left Chelsea, said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Friday.

'What Antonio has done here in the Premier League, maybe the people don't realise,' said Guardiola. 'He introduced another way to attack with five at the back, another system, a lot of teams, even Arsenal, had to do a lot of imitating to do that.

'Tactically he is a master, he did it amazingly with Italy and when he went to Turin (with Juventus). I think Conte is going to leave, going to give something to English football. I'm sure of that.'

Edited March 3, 20188 yr by mojo

https://spielverlagerung.com/2016/12/25/antonio-contes-3-4-3/

This is a great article on what Conte actually did to the team last season and also the principles of his football style. All of this was trained on the training ground. It also shows why Conte's playing style and philosophy are more akin to Guardiola then they are Mourinho.

39 minutes ago, Total-Football said:

https://spielverlagerung.com/2016/12/25/antonio-contes-3-4-3/

This is a great article on what Conte actually did to the team last season and also the principles of his football style. All of this was trained on the training ground. It also shows why Conte's playing style and philosophy are more akin to Guardiola then they are Mourinho.

Problem is that's last season, Conte has made many errors this season leading to the struggle for top 4.

There is being a tactical mastermind one season to being completely found out this season and not being able to adapt or change at all, whether formation or players.

At the end of the day a team like Liverpool shouldn't be ahead of us on paper. Last season we had no CL. This season the extra fixtures are showing his tactical inflexibility. 

He needs to stop complaining and get on with it. Use that tactical nous to get us back on track again. 

It is a good job we finished 10th the season before last as the extra Europa League would have likely hindered our chances.

 

1 hour ago, Total-Football said:

It really wasn't that hard to envisage a lot of our players regressing from last season. The evidence was the trends of their careers prior to that season. I.E.

Moses - Couldn't get into West Hams team and Liverpools squad the two seasons prior.

Alonso - Floated around mid table Serie A with no interest from a top side.

Pedro - Was on the decline at Barca and was on an even greater decline at Chelsea. He was also propped up by Messi most of his career.

Luiz - Was wasting away in the French league after being found wanting for Chelsea. Never looked good enough when playing better opponents.

Cahill - Was always found out when the team played more attacking football and age was catching up to him.

Fabregas - Legs were shot and couldn't play in a 2 man midfield because teams would walk through him.

 

All these players were shown to be the level I said with evidence being the seasons prior. It's pure biased lunacy to believe that the rest of their careers was a lie and they had found a true level of ability last season at Chelsea.

What Conte did was find a system where they flourished. WB for Alonso/Moses meant they were often free men in attack and defence and relied on their best attributes; their stamina and work rate. 3 man defence meant Cahill and Luiz were never isolated at the back and they essentially played with 5/7 men in defence at all times; this covered Luiz idiotic charges forwards and Cahills inability to play when isolated. Pedro was playing the exact same role he had at Barca; make runs behind the defence and get on the end of attacks. Fabregas was a super superb,  brought on to unlock defences when legs were tired and his lack of mobility couldn't be exploited as efficiently. That along with simple yet effective tactical instructions lead to the teams amazing form.

The big problem is when teams figured out how to counter the formation, these players have to rely more on individual ability. In that regard, they fall back to their actual ability.

 

Also, there is a big difference between Vidal/Nainggolan  (Two of the best midfielders in the world) and Drinkwater (Mid table at best) it's a failing if the boards that we went from those two players to Drinkwater levels of player. 

You cannot believe this team is worse than Liverpool's on a player to player basis. We have a better team/squad than them (minus salah) and should be doing much better.

As good as conte may have been last season, he just hasn't been able to keep it up even with added depth. Granted the ongoing injuries the squad has had to deal with play a big part too, but every coach goes through these issues. 

The players you mentioned are weaknesses, but conte continues to play them. It reminds me of when Jose continued to play ivanovic. 

Luiz hardly plays so that's not really an excuse; neither does cahill unless necessary. fabregas, though he's still one of our most creative players. Replacing him isn't as easy as there are very few players like him available who don't play already for a big club. 

Like I said, we have back up for both moses and alonso, but conte doesn't play them although zappa has looked better than moses imo. 

Pedro is another player who hasn't been a regular fixture recently, but can still be a very good squad player. 

We might not have bought "world class" players, but very few clubs can do that for more than one or two positions anyway at the crazy inflation of the market. 

Vidal plays for the third biggest club in Europe. Why would he be desperate to leave? Nainggolan cannot be forced to come to Chelsea if he doesn't want to leave Roma.

Like I said expecting top level players to be allowed to leave their clubs is extremely difficult, it's all about timing like it was for Man City.  

28 minutes ago, enigma said:

You cannot believe this team is worse than Liverpool's on a player to player basis. We have a better team/squad than them (minus salah) and should be doing much better.

As good as conte may have been last season, he just hasn't been able to keep it up even with added depth. Granted the ongoing injuries the squad has had to deal with play a big part too, but every coach goes through these issues. 

The players you mentioned are weaknesses, but conte continues to play them. It reminds me of when Jose continued to play ivanovic. 

Luiz hardly plays so that's not really an excuse; neither does cahill unless necessary. fabregas, though he's still one of our most creative players. Replacing him isn't as easy as there are very few players like him available who don't play already for a big club. 

Like I said, we have back up for both moses and alonso, but conte doesn't play them although zappa has looked better than moses imo. 

Pedro is another player who hasn't been a regular fixture recently, but can still be a very good squad player. 

We might not have bought "world class" players, but very few clubs can do that for more than one or two positions anyway at the crazy inflation of the market. 

Vidal plays for the third biggest club in Europe. Why would he be desperate to leave? Nainggolan cannot be forced to come to Chelsea if he doesn't want to leave Roma.

Like I said expecting top level players to be allowed to leave their clubs is extremely difficult, it's all about timing like it was for Man City.  

Honestly I don't think there's much between us, Liverpool and spurs. 

Courtois, azpilicueta, kante, and Hazard would walk into either of those sides, but Rose, Trippier, Alderwerald, Van dijk, Can, Dembele, Wanyama, Dier, Erikson, Salah, Firmino, and Kane, would all get into our team.

Not much to split between the sides, so anywhere between 5th and 3rd is what I would expect this team to come. It may be that momentum will see us finish 5th. 

United and City should be 1 and 2, given their financial strength.

 

Aint got a f**king clue what Total-Football is on about in regards to Chelsea's player failures been obvious/predicted due to their careers so far. What does what they did years ago have to do with now? Everyone starts out some where learning and getting experience. Chelsea are where they are and that's that. Alonso has been class this year, Moses has been not as good as last year but still a good player, I'd expect him to kick on for the rest of the season. Luiz is still a good player, would get a game at any top club. It's easy to kick a club and player(s) when things aren't going as they were before. Fabregas has been a stellar player throughout his career, as has Pedro and the rest. The squad is full of class. This year for whatever reason hasn't been ours. But hey, at Chelsea who knows what the f**k is going on. Don't take players performances as if it's just their talent, as we've seen before, this club and it's player sometimes will sacrifice a season and their performances to git rid of a manager. 

In regards to Liverpool, Spurs, United, and City. If there was a combined XI named - you could hardly leave out Alonso, Kante, Hazard, Christensen and Azpi. Chelsea are just lacking that Harry Kane centre forward player and a De Brueyne type midfielder. But then again, that's the dream of most clubs unless you are City. Haha. Imagine Harry Kane playing up top for Chelsea with Alli, De Brueyne or Erickson behind him 

Edited March 3, 20188 yr by Famous CFC

Luiz would get a game at any top club, yeah in the league cup 

when a manager is making comments alluding to player quality within his squad, i don't see how this is in anyway helpful in building up the players and making them want to play for him. if he is gone at the end of the season and knows it already, why would he bother to help the club achieve champions league qualification?

he did his job last season winning the title, so now he can sit back, let the performances go to sh*t and receive his payoff at the end. he is in total control of our fate of getting results and ultimately champs league qualification.

Edited March 3, 20188 yr by enigma

17 minutes ago, enigma said:

when a manager is making comments alluding to player quality within his squad, i don't see how this is in anyway helpful in building up the players and making them want to play for him. if he is gone at the end of the season and knows it already, why would he bother to help the club achieve champions league qualification?

he did his job last season winning the title, so now he can sit back, let the performances go to sh*t and receive his payoff at the end. he is in total control of our fate of getting results and ultimately champs league qualification.

https://www.si.com/soccer/2018/02/28/revealed-how-premier-league-table-would-look-if-season-started-christmas

League table since Christmas, been an awful couple of months and that's on Conte with whatever excuses people like to make. It's up to Conte to get us back in the top 4, I can't remember what the table looked like at Christmas but I was feeling comfortable.

1 hour ago, enigma said:

when a manager is making comments alluding to player quality within his squad, i don't see how this is in anyway helpful in building up the players and making them want to play for him. if he is gone at the end of the season and knows it already, why would he bother to help the club achieve champions league qualification?

he did his job last season winning the title, so now he can sit back, let the performances go to sh*t and receive his payoff at the end. he is in total control of our fate of getting results and ultimately champs league qualification.

fully agree with this,  those people highlighting our supposed poor squad are ignoring the fact that squad was still easily good enough to beat Bournemouth at home,  Watford away etc.  Those "performances" had nothing to do with squad quality and all to do with attitude,  and that comes from the manager. 

I don't think Conte would want to jeopardise us to reach the top  4,  after all it does not look good on his managerial CV.

2 hours ago, dkw said:

fully agree with this,  those people highlighting our supposed poor squad are ignoring the fact that squad was still easily good enough to beat Bournemouth at home,  Watford away etc.  Those "performances" had nothing to do with squad quality and all to do with attitude,  and that comes from the manager. 

Football doesn't work like that though. 

City lost to Wigan a couple if weeks ago. Isolated results don't determine which team is stronger.

Conte has underperformed recently but on the whole, our league position is fairly representative of our quality. 

Whichever way you want to spin it, we are weaker this season, and our rivals have strengthened, add in a few injuries, and the increased amount of games, and it's no surprise why we find ourselves battling for top 4. 

Conte is one if the best in business, if we aren't able to compete financially with city or United, id like to see us bring in someone happier to work young players, and someone who plays a more attractive style if football. 

The current situation isn't good for anyone, other than the media. 

The biggest problem with Conte is that he lets his emotions rule his head. His passion is both a weakness and a strength, he can’t separate them. Until he learns to not let his frustrations get the bette of him, he will always be a journey man. 1-2 seasons where ever he goes  

He has massively underperformed this season and January has completely killed us. The performances in January were disgraceful and it was so evident how unhappy he was and he let it filter down to the team which is unacceptable. 

If he fails to get top 4 and goes out to Barca, his legacy will be tarnished as he will leave us in a dangerous place with no CL. 

Edited March 3, 20188 yr by JM7

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/02/antonio-conte-chelsea-manchester-city

 

People need to read the above quotes from yesterday's presser. Those hoping we keep Conte on need a reality check IMO.

 

He's doing what he's done all season, moaning about transfers, and boasting about his ability. How does this help the squad? It doesn't. It plainly hasn't helped motivate the players and yet Conte still keeps doing it. You have to ask why. Clearly it's to let himself off the hook and promote himself. What other purpose could there be behind the quotes? We've heard his complaints a thousand times. How do they help the squad going into the match tomorrow, going into the game against Barca. His quotes don't help at all, quite the opposite. He's showing his true colours IMO. He doesn't care about his players and he doesn't care about the club. He only cares about himself and how he looks to the public.

 

Shame on you Antonio.

 

He goes to great lengths to explain why we're way behind City, but he doesn't explain why we're behind Liverpool and Tottenham, two clubs whose managers have been given far less funds than him. Explain that one away Antonio. Explain why we've lost to so many sh*t sides this season, explain why we keep losing to Arsenal, explain why we blew a two goal lead to Roma which ended up proving costly, explain why we only beat Norwich after a replay and penalties. Are the board responsible for all this?

 

I'm counting the days till this c**t leaves.

Explain why you got involved in a needless spat with Mourinho since when you've hardly been able to register a win.

 

Must be all the board's fault.

I've been one to defend Conte and I will untill the day he leaves, but he has frustrated me this season... odd substitutions and tactics and constantly moaning about transfers.

If you remember back towards his time at the end of his spell at Juventus the exact same thing happened, he was frustrated with lack of support with transfers and eventually quit, can see the same happening sadly.

at the end of the day some of this seasons performances have been unacceptable and the buck does stop with him