Antonio Conte certainly has a lot on his plate this summer. First he will attempt to guide Italy to Euro 2016 glory. Then comes the small task of trying to improve a Chelsea side which failed so miserably this season.
If the former Juventus boss had any vacation plans, then he’s certainly cancelled them. The 46-year-old will have plenty on his to do list when he takes charge at Stamford Bridge.
We’ve picked the top five things the Italian must address…
Improve the midfield
This is perhaps the one area of the Chelsea team that needs an overhaul – although you can make a strong case of the defence as well.
Too often this season opposition sides breezed through the Blues’ midfield and it left the defence exposed. It’s largely why 53 goals were conceded this season as opposed to 32 during the title winning campaign.
Sadly, Nemanja Matic became a liability. He was a colossus the previous year, single handedly controlling the midfield during several matches. But his form has dipped so dramatically you doubt whether he will get back to his best.
Cesc Fabregas, as everyone knows, is a fabulous footballer but can’t defend an iota. He makes token tackles rather than making genuine attempts to win the ball. Playing him deep in midfield, especially against strong sides, was a mistake. It’s he featured more as a number ten during the last few months of the season.
John Obi Mikel continues to be Marmite among fans. He’s been at the club ten years and has won the lot yet has still never truly established himself. Some managers have liked him, like Guus Hiddink, others haven’t. There is little doubt Mikel is functional and does a good job in tight games, no Blues fan will ever forget his outstanding performance in the Champions League final, but he is limited.
That leaves Ruben Loftus Cheek as the other midfield option. He’s got the potential but is he ready to play week in, week out? It’s a tough call but probably not just yet.
So Conte needs to dip into the market and bring in a quality midfielder. One who can build attacks and can also defend. Paul Pogba’s been linked but that, with no European football on offer, seems fanciful. Radja Nainggolan is another target but may prove difficult to prize away from Roma.
Add depth which is sorely lacking
Chelsea’s transfer business over the past year has left a lot to be desired. Last summer Petr Cech and Didier Drogba – who may not have been the players they once were but remained huge influences in the dressing room – departed. Felipe Luis also returned to Atletico Madrid after barely getting a look in under Jose Mourinho while Ramires left for China in January.
In came the likes of Falcao (let’s not even get into that), Papy Djilobodji (who managed just one appearance), Baba Rahman (youthful but very inconsistent), Pedro (experienced yet inconsistent) and Asmir Begovic (who turned out to be a success but largely because he made more appearances then perhaps anybody expected). Alexander Pato joined in January on loan but did little to convince his signing should be made permanent.
This poor business meant Chelsea’s squad was threadbare. They lacked strength in depth. So as soon as the likes of Eden Hazard, Fabregas, Diego Costa, Matic and Branislav Ivanovic spectacularly lost form, there was nobody to replace them in the side. Chelsea and Mourinho suffered hugely as a result.
Conte must make sure that can’t happen again. If key players lose form, others must be ready to step up and take their place. The Blues have, unsurprisingly, reportedly been looking at a host of players from Serie A. Conte knows the market well and he knows he must beef up his squad.
Work out what to do with John Terry
The captain, leader, legend is staying and there isn’t a Chelsea fan who isn’t delighted about that. He has become the heartbeat of Chelsea and, perhaps, is the only remaining player who truly ‘loves’ the club.
If fit, he wants to play every game, even at 35-years-old. It is an admirable attitude. But Conte will know that isn’t what is best for Terry and it isn’t what is best for Chelsea.
The Italian will have to manage the centre-back carefully, picking and choosing which games to play the inspirational skipper while ensuring Terry doesn’t feel side-lined.
It’s a difficult balancing act for the Italian. Terry is a big personality and if he isn’t happy then, one way or another, it comes out. Conte must keep him onside.
Ensure Eden Hazard doesn’t again disappear into his shell
The winger endured an awful season. Yes, he finished it strongly with that goal against Spurs and then with a magnificent solo strike against Liverpool at Anfield. But it was all too little, too late.
Whatever went wrong for Hazard, either mentally or physically, can’t be allowed to happen again. He is too influential, the last two seasons have proved that.
When Hazard is at the top of his game, as he was during the title winning season, he wins games single handled. When he is off his game, as he was this season, Chelsea suffer.
Conte must make sure the green shoots of recovery Hazard displayed in the final matches of the season blossom next term. A strong European Championships may do just that. But if Hazard struggles with Belgium, Conte must make sure his mind is in the right place when he returns to Chelsea.
Decide who’s ready to make the step up
Chelsea’s Academy could save the club millions yet no manager has been ready to trust the kids. Next season could be the perfect opportunity. If, and it’s a big if, Chelsea are struggling to attract top talent because they are not in Europe, then there’s not point settling for second best.
Instead Conte should weigh up which players from the army of loanees and the hugely successful Under-18s side are ready to make the step up and then he needs to trust them.
Andreas Christensen has excelled at Borussia Mönchengladbach this season, Nathan Ake’s performances at Watford earned him the club’s Young Player of the Year award, Lewis Baker and Dominic Solanke have gained valuable experience at Vitesse, Charly Musonda too at Real Betis. The list of potential first team players is endless.
They just need the opportunity to prove themselves at the highest level, like Dele Alli had at Tottenham this season.
