manager at Stamford Bridge with his email
inbox likely already full of requests from the
club's directors...
COMMENT
Antonio Conte starts his first day of work at
Chelsea on Monday with his Euro 2016
commitments concluded as Italy were
defeated by Germany in the quarter final.
Fresh from a week-long holiday, the Italian
has arrived at Chelsea's Cobham training
ground to meet players and staff and begin
the club’s pre-season.
Conte will make his bow in a Chelsea dug out
against Rapid Vienna in Austria on Saturday
before heading to Velden for a training camp
and participation in the International
Champions Cup in Los Angeles.
So how will Conte become a Chelsea
success? These is the 46-year-old's five-point
plan of priority tasks if he is to keep a
demanding owner happy and right Jose
Mourinho's wrongs of last season...
PRE-SEASON PREPARATION
Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas both cited
last year’s pre-season as the beginning of the
problems.
The former Premier League champions drew
2-2 at home on the opening day against
Swansea City and things then went from bad
to worse until Mourinho was ultimately
sacked on December 17 with the club were
languishing one point above the relegation
zone.
Mourinho admitted that “clearly some bodies
didn't react as well as we expected” as he
shortened pre-season to three games, while
Costa confessed he was "overweight" amid a
squad almost entirely underwhelming for the
majority of the campaign.
Chelsea will play in six games this summer,
with another fixture soon to be announced, as
the players seek to learn from the mistakes of
last year.
SIGNINGSSIGNINGS
Chelsea are woefully light in the striking
department despite the recent signing of
Michy Batshuayi from Marseille.
The club decided not to take up the option to
sign either Alexandre Pato or Radamel Falcao,
while Loic Remy looks likely to leave after
being linked with a move to Turkey.
Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain are two
big names being linked with a move as the
Blues look to bolster their options.
Chelsea have been acting on Conte’s behalf
to sign players since he was formally
announced but business has been slow.
The Blues will need to find at least one new
centre-back and perhaps look for a midfielder
as they chase the signings of Radja
Nainggolan, N’Golo Kante and Axel Witsel.
CONTINUE WITH HAZARD'S REBIRTH
The 25-year-old is already showing signs that
he is back to his best having been Belgium’s
top performer at Euro 2016 after a decent end
of season in the Premier League.
He ended Tottenham's tilt at the Premier
League title with a stunning goal at Stamford
Bridge in a 2-2 comeback, while his solo goal
against Liverpool will also linger in the
memory.
The Belgian will undoubtedly be key if Chelsea
harbour any ambitions of silverware next
season after scoring four goals in five games
at the end of last term - with the first of
those goals ending a 356-day goal drought in
the league.
Hazard will, however, have to adapt to a new
system under Conte but he is a versatile
attacker who has shown he can play in
numerous positions.
ORGANISE THE DEFENCE
Chelsea last season conceded 21 more goals
than when they won the Premier League title
in 2014-15 as their defence crumbled time
and again.
Terry was mismanaged all season. The
captain was rushed back from injury which
only led to another, while a contract saga
hung heavy over his head throughout.
Branislav Ivanovic noticably lost at least a
yard of pace, while John Obi Mikel was
required to deputise in defence on multiple
occasions for the first time in his career.
As well as the issues posed by older players,
Conte has youngsters like Baba Rahman and
Matt Miazga who have yet to be given a
chance to convince.
It is likely the club will need to sign a top
defender with Terry expected to play a lesser
role, but he will no doubt show his influence
through leade
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