can see something like this being the team under Conte next season:

Courtois

Zouma - Terry/Dann - Cahill

Ivanovic/Cuadrado (RWB) - Matic (DM) - Vidal (DM) - Moses/Willian (LWB)

Oscar/Fabergas (no 10)

Costa - Morata/Llorente

obviously need a striker to fit his system, Morata would fit the bill but I think Llorente would be an excellent signing, been lethal for Juventus and Sevilla, fairly cheap and a name Conte can trust. Vidal to marshall the midfield as a dream signing, plus the wing backs are sorted with Cuadrado and Victor Moses coming back from loan (Willian could play LWB but think Moses has more to offer defensively, need that mug Azpilicueta out the club). Terry will probably stay but Conte will want another option with experience in the prem, think Scott Dann would be perfect (English, solid season + cheap, could do what Cahill's done for us). sell Hazard/Pedro/Loftus-Cheek to raise funds

This is way off mate. Haha since when will buy scott dann.

If he does go 3-5-2, which i doubt he will. It will most likely be something like this.

Zouma. ????. Azpi.

Willian. Nainngolan. Pogba. Kenedy

Fabregas

Costa. Higuain/lukaku

Pogba is a stretch, but i know there is interest, and if we sell hazard we will have the cash. I would love this team, but we will get the below 4-4-2 i think.

Azpi. Zouma. ????. Baba

Willian. Nainngolan. Fabregas. Kenedy

Costa. Lukaku/higuain

Could be key to this setup to work if Guus stays on in advisory role. There has been talks of him staying beyond this season.

Guus is clearly doing well with the players and if Conte is as intimidating as is said Guus could do a great job easing him in.

Could be key to this setup to work if Guus stays on in advisory role. There has been talks of him staying beyond this season.

Guus is clearly doing well with the players and if Conte is as intimidating as is said Guus could do a great job easing him in.

 

That sounds like a recipe for disaster. Conte needs to be 'the man' - he doesn't need someone overseeing what he's doing or possibly undermining it. 

 

If a player doesn't like Conte's intimidating attitude then we don't need some kindly grandpa figure there to give them a werthers original and ruffle their hair - they need to leave. When Conte is in, Hiddink goes.

Grandpa figure? Top manager who seems to be a pretty good man manager. I don't think he will interfere with Contes work but help some players who are not as comfortable with his methods early on.

Grandpa figure? Top manager who seems to be a pretty good man manager. I don't think he will interfere with Contes work but help some players who are not as comfortable with his methods early on.

 

I like Guus but he's going to be 70 in a few months time and before he came back here he'd had a pretty unremarkable five years. He's come in, 'steadied the ship' to a certain extent and he deserves our gratitude but we need to move on now. I think it's a bad idea to have old figures of authority hovering in the background in any line of work. Let the guy do what he said he was going to do a few years ago and retire, whilst Conte goes about rebuilding this club in the way he wants.

I like Guus but he's going to be 70 in a few months time and before he came back here he'd had a pretty unremarkable five years. He's come in, 'steadied the ship' to a certain extent and he deserves our gratitude but we need to move on now. I think it's a bad idea to have old figures of authority hovering in the background in any line of work. Let the guy do what he said he was going to do a few years ago and retire, whilst Conte goes about rebuilding this club in the way he wants.

 

In an ideal scenario id say yes, in our clubs scenario would it not be wise to have hiddink stay on in an informal capacity on the board? if only to purely counteract any non-football people opinions offered to roman? I know whos opinion on all things football related id trust if given the option of any member of our board inc emanelo!

 

Personally I think we should use guus experience to make us a better club, I dont think guus would tread on any toes either as he doesnt seem the kind of guy to do that and id imagine it would purely be a parttime job/advisory role that goes straight to the board so would purely maybe to help shape club longterm strategy, if we have one besides win as many trophies as possible that is.

 

If he was to have even the slightest bit of overlap on the first team id get contes blessing mind, and if he wasnt happy with it id stop there being an overlap, although id assume that being italian that conte will be fine working with other figures around him as long as they pull in the same direction, as isnt it the norm in italy to have general managers and directors of football at most clubs, whilst the guy in charge is a head coach?

In an ideal scenario id say yes, in our clubs scenario would it not be wise to have hiddink stay on in an informal capacity on the board? if only to purely counteract any non-football people opinions offered to roman? I know whos opinion on all things football related id trust if given the option of any member of our board inc emanelo!

 

Personally I think we should use guus experience to make us a better club, I dont think guus would tread on any toes either as he doesnt seem the kind of guy to do that and id imagine it would purely be a parttime job/advisory role that goes straight to the board so would purely maybe to help shape club longterm strategy, if we have one besides win as many trophies as possible that is.

 

If he was to have even the slightest bit of overlap on the first team id get contes blessing mind, and if he wasnt happy with it id stop there being an overlap, although id assume that being italian that conte will be fine working with other figures around him as long as they pull in the same direction, as isnt it the norm in italy to have general managers and directors of football at most clubs, whilst the guy in charge is a head coach?

 

It's a good argument and I agree with the principle of having stronger footballing voices in the boardroom, but I'd be a little worried that Guus was another proxy for Roman to be honest. That's not having a pop at the guy's integrity and he'd probably do a good job but I'd be worried about what role he'd actually fill.

 

I think our problem has been not allowing the talent (in this case the coaches) to run the club. I think Roman has far too big of an influence either directly or through his proxies and it often feels like you have the coaches and the club working out of concert with one another. It's that confusion that's the issue which is why I was hoping Conte would have a say in appointing the Technical Director (which was reported to be Sabatini who was at the club yesterday...too much to hope he's joining perhaps?).

 

What I'd love to see is someone like Lamps or JT join the club in some capacity so that you have a presence there who represents the 'club' (by that I mean the fans, the traditions of this club) rather than Roman which is honestly what I think Guus would. Again that's not a pop at him but the reality is that he's spent less than 12 months at this club and both times it's been seen as a favour to Roman.

It's a good argument and I agree with the principle of having stronger footballing voices in the boardroom, but I'd be a little worried that Guus was another proxy for Roman to be honest. That's not having a pop at the guy's integrity and he'd probably do a good job but I'd be worried about what role he'd actually fill.

 

I think our problem has been not allowing the talent (in this case the coaches) to run the club. I think Roman has far too big of an influence either directly or through his proxies and it often feels like you have the coaches and the club working out of concert with one another. It's that confusion that's the issue which is why I was hoping Conte would have a say in appointing the Technical Director (which was reported to be Sabatini who was at the club yesterday...too much to hope he's joining perhaps?).

 

What I'd love to see is someone like Lamps or JT join the club in some capacity so that you have a presence there who represents the 'club' (by that I mean the fans, the traditions of this club) rather than Roman which is honestly what I think Guus would. Again that's not a pop at him but the reality is that he's spent less than 12 months at this club and both times it's been seen as a favour to Roman.

 

Certainly a valid point about guus doing us/roman a favour in being caretaker both times, I just think that maybe if he could pass on maybe just 5 or 10% of his football knowledge onto the actual decision makers at the club we may end up being run better in future, as to me the problem with roman is that he is a layman (even 10+ years in) in regards to actual football inside knowledge.

 

Basically sometimes what I think seems a good idea to you or I but ultimately could be seen as poor in hindsight (zola as manager maybe?) is something we cant implement at the club, roman has no-one stopping him, for example if he had an idea whilst having a few drinks about spending smallish amounts of money on foreign youngsters in the hope to making a good profit on them in a few years time which helps the clubs coffers and run self sufficiently, he could then let that nice chap who always agrees with him run the operation for him.... I honestly dont think roman has any ill intent for the club or does anything which has harmed us on purpose, its all born out of a lack of real inside football knowledge and being over eager, just like an other fan would probably do given the chance.

No chance. Conte needs to come in with his own staff, his own ideas and his own list of targets.

My impression was always that Guus's potential advisory role was advising the backstage administration, not advising Conte and the coaching staff. Conte doesn't need advising, and I'm sure Guus as a manager knows that it would suck for Conte to have someone meddling with you. I'm sure he'll ensure that Conte is allowed to do his thing without the administration interfering. He could actually be a good influence in suggestibg that Roman and the board back off.

Conte was names as first team head coach so he clearly won't get to make all decisions alone, he's expected to work together with a sporting director. Now I'm not one of the Emenalo haters but still I'd rather have Guus in that position that him.

My impression was always that Guus's potential advisory role was advising the backstage administration, not advising Conte and the coaching staff. Conte doesn't need advising, and I'm sure Guus as a manager knows that it would suck for Conte to have someone meddling with you. I'm sure he'll ensure that Conte is allowed to do his thing without the administration interfering. He could actually be a good influence in suggestibg that Roman and the board back off.

Exactly what I think, somebody that Roman will listen too that could persuade him to hold off abit on things he probably shouldn't be involved in

Antonio Conte has stressed he wants players who are fully committed and that he will sanction the sales of those who are not. [Guardian]

I'm guessing this where the rumours about Hazard and Courtious are coming from. Rumours are that we're actively looking to sell Hazard for £80m but probbarly looking at more £60m. I more surprised by Courtious. He's had a poor season but we should try and keep him as he's so young.

I really hope Conte knows what he's doing. I'm not doubting him but it makes me nervous moving these two on. Selling Hazard and Courtious will be big talents moving on at a low point in our recent history.

Antonio Conte has stressed he wants players who are fully committed and that he will sanction the sales of those who are not. [Guardian]

I'm guessing this where the rumours about Hazard and Courtious are coming from. Rumours are that we're actively looking to sell Hazard for £80m but probbarly looking at more £60m. I more surprised by Courtious. He's had a poor season but we should try and keep him as he's so young.

I really hope Conte knows what he's doing. I'm not doubting him but it makes me nervous moving these two on. Selling Hazard and Courtious will be big talents moving on at a low point in our recent history.

The players should be committed to the club and manager, isnt that what everyone has wanted since October? If they cant be bothered they may as well go, no matter who they are

A 100% commitment to our cause, is then going to galvanise us to have a much better 16-17 season..

Courtois

Zouma - Bonucci - Manolas

Cuadrado - Fabregas - Nainggolan - Kenedy

Willian - Costa - Hazard

 

Dunno. So hard to predict.

Yeah if players are not going to give their all then let em go.

But high quality players like Hazard and Courtious only come along every so often. We should be convincing them to stay or at least give us one more season.

We're selling when we are weak - which is a dangerous position.

Antonio Conte has stressed he wants players who are fully committed and that he will sanction the sales of those who are not. [Guardian]

I'm guessing this where the rumours about Hazard and Courtious are coming from. Rumours are that we're actively looking to sell Hazard for £80m but probbarly looking at more £60m. I more surprised by Courtious. He's had a poor season but we should try and keep him as he's so young.

I really hope Conte knows what he's doing. I'm not doubting him but it makes me nervous moving these two on. Selling Hazard and Courtious will be big talents moving on at a low point in our recent history.

To me that's what is so scary about selling these two.  We are selling them at possibly their lowest value possible atm.  If we hang on to them and they bounce back next year we are looking at a serious increase in funds.  

Ive been asked a few times what i think of the Conte appointment, i have to say i know very little about him apart from what ive read after he got the job, also i find it hard these days to get excited about a new manager because you just know he'll end up getting the tin tack sooner rather than later & then we're back to square one again.

But high quality players like Hazard and Courtious only come along every so often. We should be convincing them to stay or at least give us one more season.

We're selling when we are weak - which is a dangerous position.

I think it comes down to attitude and desire. If they want to stay and have a good attitude, then they absolutely deserve everyone's support. If they have a poor attitude and want out, then the board are in a tricky situation because like you say we'd be selling them at a lower value, but there's also a risk it'll go even lower.

Any speculation about their attitude and desire is purely speculation. Only they know and perhaps those close to them know.

Edited April 11, 201610 yr by offside

Felipe Luis echoing what most of know. Bunch of weak mentality players.

Speaking about Mourinho is always controversial and there's always some intrigue surrounding him, but he is an awesome coach who tries to take the maximum from each and every one of his players."

"I think that's one of the reasons why he loses the dressing room sometimes. He asks so much of his players that some can't handle it for too long. In my case, we got along very well and he helped me when I wanted to rejoin Atletico. He's a very good coach. It's just a pity I wasn't able to convince him that I should start for Chelsea."

Conte was names as first team head coach so he clearly won't get to make all decisions alone, he's expected to work together with a sporting director. Now I'm not one of the Emenalo haters but still I'd rather have Guus in that position that him.

I have a feeling Guus wouldn't want that position. It sounds like a pretty unpleasant job, having to deal with all those agents. He's going to be 70 this year, so he understandably wants to enjoy retirement and only take a low key position with little responsibility.

Maybe he could hang a sign outside his office that says "Free hugs inside", though with Conte's reputation that might make him rather busy!

I have a feeling Guus wouldn't want that position. It sounds like a pretty unpleasant job, having to deal with all those agents. He's going to be 70 this year, so he understandably wants to enjoy retirement and only take a low key position with little responsibility.

Maybe he could hang a sign outside his office that says "Free hugs inside", though with Conte's reputation that might make him rather busy!

 

If he doesn't want to talk with agents he can always delegate.

Felipe Luis echoing what most of know. Bunch of weak mentality players.

Speaking about Mourinho is always controversial and there's always some intrigue surrounding him, but he is an awesome coach who tries to take the maximum from each and every one of his players."

"I think that's one of the reasons why he loses the dressing room sometimes. He asks so much of his players that some can't handle it for too long. In my case, we got along very well and he helped me when I wanted to rejoin Atletico. He's a very good coach. It's just a pity I wasn't able to convince him that I should start for Chelsea."

I think it's ok for the players to feeling mentally drained after a couple of seasons. Regardless of how much money you were on, if you had a manager that constantly demanded, constantly wanted more from you, never allowed things to be relaxed...we would all burn out and dislike the environment.

It doesn't matter how much money you're on, people are human and need an environmental where they can thrive.