I'm not sure what the likes of hazard and courtois think about us needing 4 years to have a team capable of winning the champions league. 

We need to keep our best players and add more quality. I don't think hazard will be rushing to sign a new contract, especially with clubs now seeming more able and willing to turn down transfer requests. 

Realistically I think we could have a team capable of challenging for the champions league, with 3 more quality signings. Left wing back, Right wing back, and another world class attacker. 

Unless we significantly increase our annual net spend, I don't we will have a team that can match psg, bayern, real and barca. 

The only other way of getting back amongst the big boys, would be if we managed to develop players to a world class level here. The potential is there, but it would take an unbelievable leap of faith. 

Edited August 19, 20178 yr by big blue

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/amp/football/40989125

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte says he wants to be in charge of the club for "many years" and lead the Blues into the new Stamford Bridge.

Conte arrived on a three-year deal last summer but is now looking beyond that.

The Blues have planning permission to rebuild their ground, though they are yet to decide whether to proceed.

"This could be a fantastic challenge for me and also for the club - to stay together and to play with this team in a new stadium," said Italian Conte.

The last manager to have four calendar years in charge of Chelsea was John Neal between 1981 and 1985.

"I want to break this bad record. I must be positive," added Conte, who steered the Blues to the Premier League title in his first season.

"When you start a job with a new club, I hope to stay in this club for many years. Honestly, the new stadium will be great - but I love Stamford Bridge a lot.

"Stamford Bridge is like my house."

Chelsea have been given permission by the mayor of London to build a new £500m 60,000-seat stadium.

If they do rebuild Stamford Bridge they will probably need to temporarily relocate, with Wembley the most likely destination.

The national stadium is Tottenham's home this season while White Hart Lane is redeveloped, and Spurs host Conte's side in their first Premier League home game there on Sunday (16:00 BST).

Conte took charge of former club Juventus in 2011 as they moved into a new stadium. They had left their former Stadio delle Alpi home in 2006 and shared the Stadio Olimpico with local rivals Torino a ground for five years.

"For sure, it's not the same when you play not in your stadium," Conte added.

"But if you want to have another good step to improve the club, you must have this type of situation."

 

what is happening with conte? good mood last presser, back in the suit again on sunday, talking long term with us. this feels like the twilight zone. 

15 minutes ago, enigma said:

what is happening with conte? good mood last presser, back in the suit again on sunday, talking long term with us. this feels like the twilight zone. 

I hope it is true, but it could be to try and just break the negativity that's been hanging around

Conte is re-enacting his own personal 'Groundhog day', with his own memories..

Hope what he says is true, not a better manager our there to guide us through the next few years (and we've been through most of the good ones anyway).

 

At least it's in contrast with all the negative crap going around.

after going from this vs burnley 

 

 

to his celebration today in the suit. our rivals are thinking: 

 

 

I f**king love that man

"The game is about glory"

 

He looks so much better and happier in a suit.

 

Thank you, Conte!

He really likes winning doesn't he...

Conte thanks players for the win and that they showed character in this hard time for the club. He also said that the players need to be focused only on the pitch, and not to the things that happen in the club. So there is something and there is probably a reason for the lacks of signing. Anyway great win today and it's so nice to see the old emotional Conte.

Made the right choice going with the five man midfield today.

Was good to see him more animated again today, showed signs of being himself again.

Hopefully gets what he wants/needs from transfers by the end of the month so we can make a real go if it in the league and Europe.

Conte played with the ideal tactical formation to stifle Tottenham's attacks springing from centre midfield and to plug any gaps between the Defence and the keeper with Luiz blocking the runs via channels.  The bench still looks damn weak and he needs new players now.

My 2 slight issues with conte as a manager was his big game tactics and not being willing to rotate or set up a system just to win a particular game like Mou was the master of, and he answered both of those today, Chelsea are a big game team and we can't lose that trait in this period of transition. 

2 hours ago, DonAntonio said:

My 2 slight issues with conte as a manager was his big game tactics and not being willing to rotate or set up a system just to win a particular game like Mou was the master of, and he answered both of those today, Chelsea are a big game team and we can't lose that trait in this period of transition. 

The tactical formation Conte set up yesterday was ideal with David Luiz blocking the channels to stymie midfield attacks from Spurs and having Willian play in a number 10 like role to prompt attacks from the centre.  However, Morata is not the ideal striker to play in a pure counter attacking role like the formation used today.  Of course, Conte needs more players (such as a more physical striker) being bought to add variety as well to enhance fluidity and tactics.  

My 2 slight issues with conte as a manager was his big game tactics and not being willing to rotate or set up a system just to win a particular game like Mou was the master of, and he answered both of those today, Chelsea are a big game team and we can't lose that trait in this period of transition. 

This is where their philosofies differ. Conte wants a basis to build on and Jose wants to win the game in hand. Both want to win badly but Conte chooses the long term thinking. Today he did what he had to as we lost the first match and had injuries.

By long term I mean he wants to hone his system to be better instead of result in one game. You can always argue which is better but we've seen Jose and what he does and currently I like Conte's approach more. This is also probably why Conte doesn't have a great cup history.

No criticism to either one.

 

Congratulations to Antonio on reaching 50 matches as manager of the club.

His celebration yesterday was f**king brilliant. Silenced his critics.

"Chelsea beat Spurs 2-1 after a double from Marcos Alonso and continued their run of never losing when they have been leading at half-time under Antonio Conte in the Premier League (won 20, drawn two)."

Edited August 21, 20178 yr by Charles Ryder

Good stat!

The papers, commentators say we were outplayed yesterday.

if you have a game plan that works, stifles the other team, defend well and score goals, surely we've Outplayed' them?

Well played Antonio.