What an amazing transformation since his appointment.

5 hours ago, erskblue said:

What an amazing transformation since his appointment.

It's amazing how much a season changes.

12 months ago I was very pessimistic about the direction of the club, but Antonio has brought back pride and passion into the club.

His charisma and presence is infectious for the whole club.

Edited March 12, 20179 yr by Jezz

Not having European football could have been a blessing in disguise for Conte.

It has given him more time on the training ground with the squad since his arrival.

Agree, so I'll be interested to see how he copes with Champions League football next season and the way he manages the squad in terms of tactics and having to utilise more squad players as opposed to this season where we've usually only played one match a week and kept a usual starting 11 rather than chopping and changing regularly.

Conte has been criticised in some circles for having a poor UCL record as manager, so I hope he proves his critics wrong this time round.

Plenty to look forward to if we don't get complacent and the club continues backing him financially, and having faith that he'll continue to get the best out of the squad beyond this season. After everything he's produced this season, he needs to be afforded that luxury.

Edited March 12, 20179 yr by Jezz

21 hours ago, The Skipper said:

We have an amazing opportunity to grow into a true European elite for the next 5 years if we get our signings right this summer. Conte has been a magnificent appointment, and I genuinely can't wait to see what he can do when he has better players in the side. It's truly incredible how he's managed to guide the team 10 points clear. Absolute winner. He's managed to do so whilst sort of integrating some of the academy guys as squad players as well. At managerial level we're truly set with one of the best. Now it's time to give him the right players.

In my opinion, we need to upgrade on 4 positions next summer. CM, LWB, RWB, RF. So essentially an upgrade on Matic/Fabregas, Alonso, Moses and Pedro. We do this successfully and we're set.

Realistically, there are a few options for us this summer. There seems to be a mix of top players and up and coming superstars available next summer from particular leagues and teams that I feel we should raid. Specifically the French league which is bursting full of talent right now.

At CM, I would look into getting Kante a partner that is a lot more complete defensively and offensively. I would rather them be more inclined towards the latter though due to Kante's defensive ability in midfield. The players I have in mind that are possibly attainable are Tolisso, Naby Keita and maybe Bakayoko. Maybe a cheeky bid for Renato Sanches who hasn't settled at Bayern at all? The pipe dream would be Verratti though.

At WB, Alonso and Moses have done very well this season as a couple but they aren't good enough if we want to be a top European side. Of course, they stay and provide crucial squad depth (which we severely lack in the position). I would look at getting in Semedo from Benfica the most, he is a top top full back. Maybe look at other options like Aurier? Cancelo? On the left, again there aren't that many exciting players available but I heard we're interested in Lemar, who plays LM at Monaco. Maybe could be converted into a LWB, would be a very interesting option. We can also possibly take a plunge on one of the best young English talents to come through recently, Ryan Sessegnon, who at 16 would need a few years to bed in but he is doing very well at Fulham at the moment and starts regularly now. Maybe Grimaldo from Benfica is an option too.

RF is where it gets fun. We have loads of options here, there are many young talents or even superstars available that we could get. Pedro is doing a magnificent job this season, close to being CPOTY for me. However, he is 31 later this year and we need to invest into that position for the future. If we could manage to steal Alexis, that would be fantastic. Bernardo Silva would be excellent too. Then you have someone like Mbappe which would be a ridiculous statement. Maybe make a huge offer for Ousmane Dembele. The sort of player we need to have there needs to have the 'Pedro profile' if anything in my opinion. You can even look at possibly getting in strikers like Lacazette or Aubameyang who could perform really well in that Pedro role, Anelka style. So someone with a goal scorers mentality when in the box and good off the ball movement.

That potentially gives us a team of:

Courtois

Azpi Luiz Christensen

Semedo Kante Tolisso Grimaldo

Mbappe Costa Hazard

That above is a truly exciting side, and should be pretty achievable next season in my opinion. Hopefully we can make even bigger signings though, you never know. The squad depth would be ridiculous as well with guys like Fabregas, Pedro, Willian, Moses, Ake etc. to call on.

Good times ahead hopefully, as long as the board and Conte don't mess up the summer transfer window. We need to spend big, because our competitors will. City and United, and Arsenal and Liverpool potentially too. The PL is going to be exciting next season. This is highly optimistic and idealistic but don't see why we can't be. We'll be champions with a lot of cash to spend.

The Manchester clubs are going to maket their spending last summer look like chump change. I have a hard time believing Pool will spend much, maybe a few younger players and one marquee signing. Same with ARSENEl especially if Wenger sticks around, I think he genuinely believes they are good enough.

 

Hopefully Conte is given some cash to spend regardless of what other clubs do bc we have a few holes if we're gonna compete on 4 fronts and its hard to imagine we'll stay as healthy as we have been this season 

On 3/12/2017 at 21:37, erskblue said:

Not having European football could have been a blessing in disguise for Conte.

It has given him more time on the training ground with the squad since his arrival.

 

I think advantage is the term.

On 3/12/2017 at 21:41, Jezz said:

Agree, so I'll be interested to see how he copes with Champions League football next season and the way he manages the squad in terms of tactics and having to utilise more squad players as opposed to this season where we've usually only played one match a week and kept a usual starting 11 rather than chopping and changing regularly.

Conte has been criticised in some circles for having a poor UCL record as manager, so I hope he proves his critics wrong this time round.

Plenty to look forward to if we don't get complacent and the club continues backing him financially, and having faith that he'll continue to get the best out of the squad beyond this season. After everything he's produced this season, he needs to be afforded that luxury.

 

I think he's got the right mix this time.

Manchester United fans should read this.

 

http://www.espnfc.com/english-fa-cup/40/blog/post/3081431/jose-mourinho-no-longer-centre-stage-at-chelsea-its-antonio-contes-turf

 

I love the passion by Antonio on the bench, I feel like it's infectious to the players and fans. 

 

Although he's very animated etc I don't think it's as confrontational as Jose was and much more diplomatic in press conferences as well.

 

I really hope he stays here for a long time, the guy is very very classy. I think he'll lead us to be very very successful over his tenure here!

Said he hopes to reach Jose levels in terms of winning which is something you'd never imagine Jose saying about the manager before him. Even if he's following Fergie

The kind of man you'd follow into the trenches, a true leader and someone who is a credit to our club. 

I am more and more impressed by him the longer the season has gone on.

11 hours ago, ForeverCarefree said:

 

Jose was well caught off guard there, near shat himself 

5 minutes ago, Zola said:

Jose was well caught off guard there, near shat himself 

He doesn't actually deal with direct confrontation very well. 

When Wenger shoved him in his technical area he looked taken aback. Same with Don Conte last night. 

Yeah, he's a bit of a pussy cat really :D

5 minutes ago, Zola said:

Yeah, he's a bit of a pussy cat really :D

He is Conte would have him all day

12 minutes ago, Brutos said:

He is Conte would have him all day

Jose talks the talk, Antonio walks the walk!!

Just oozes class from every pore. We really are lucky to have him. 

The guys must love playing for him.
 

Trying to lipread what he is saying, is he shouting "play the ball" at the end there? 

Conte looks like he's saying "play the ball."  Clear as day Jose's tactics yesterday were to be thuggish and physical, bordering on the line.  Herrera crossed it, and TBH a few others of their players probably should have gotten reds.  Valencia two footed studs up challenge and ashley young blunt tackle from behind on moses rings a bell.  Great to see the class from Antonio after the match though.  On the pitch a warrior, off it humble.  

One of the key differences I've noticed between Conte and Mourinho, is that Conte is able to separate what goes on on the field, with what goes on off it. He can be shouting and screaming and in your face on the sidelines, but after the game he is calm and measured in what he says, whereas Jose seems to let his emotions from the game boil over into his interviews.

24 minutes ago, Zeta said:

One of the key differences I've noticed between Conte and Mourinho, is that Conte is able to separate what goes on on the field, with what goes on off it. He can be shouting and screaming and in your face on the sidelines, but after the game he is calm and measured in what he says, whereas Jose seems to let his emotions from the game boil over into his interviews.

This is what I like i about him too. No embarrassing of field dramas and constantly getting in the news. Once the game is over we never hear from him again till the next fixture. Even opposition fans who despised us are now warming to us because of him. 

Yep, so classy - both in manner and appearance. Love how he has the right balance of fairness and control but with that "don't think of taking liberties with us - we are Chelsea".

Woe betide anyone who does think of crossing him!

 

 

Edited March 14, 20179 yr by Nibs