Antonio Conte is adamant that Chelsea will not be forced into over-spending this summer. Since taking over at Stamford Bridge, the Italian has brought in two players, each costing below £35m. He is now insisting that he will not spend ridiculous amounts despite the need for reinforcements.
The likes of Manchester United and Juventus spent big on players during the post season, with Paul Pogba and Gonzalo Higuain making moves that prompted the spending of a combined total of £167m.
Manchester City have also splashed the cash, spending £165m on Marlos Moreno Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Gabriel Jesus, John Stones and Leroy Sane. However, Conte is not ready to sanction any such expenditure.
Asked, during his Friday presser, if he would be okay with Chelsea spending too much on a player they want, the former Italy boss said that it would not sit well with him.
“No, I’m not comfortable,” he replied.
I don’t like to pay a lot of money. If a player deserves us to pay [lots of] money, then it’s right. But for a medium player, it’s right to pay the right price, not £20-30m over. That’s not right. The money is not mine, but I don’t like it the same. I don’t find it right.
At this moment it’s very difficult to buy because if you ask a player of the medium level, they might ask for £55m. For this reason, it’s a crazy market. It’s very difficult to enter the market with these prices and in this condition.
That is why we are waiting for the right situation. We must be patient and wait. Not only for Chelsea. I saw also with the other clubs, it’s very difficult to have a good market. But now it’s a real situation. We must live with this situation in the right way.
Conte isn’t exactly spoiled for choice when it comes to defensive options at Chelsea. The club have already loaned Baba Rahman and Michael Hector to Schalke 04 and Eintracht Frankfurt, and have sold Papy Djilobodji to Sunderland. Matt Miazga is also tipped to leave on loan, with reports claiming that the young American defender has been offered to Sunderland as well.
I am pleased to have these players. They have shown me great attitude, great behaviour. I’m delighted to train them every day. Now we have these players and we are very happy to work with them. But we have two weeks before the end of the transfer market. If we can improve this squad, we want to improve it.
While we should still expect the Blues to make one or two more signings before the close of the transfer window, it doesn’t appear that Conte will be breaking the bank to make that happen.
