Its just 2 weeks before the new campaign starts and after a disappointing 10th place finish in the Premier League last season, Chelsea fans must be hoping that their new manager Antonio Conte brings Chelsea back on track. Conte took over as Chelsea’s manager at the end of the European Championships and has completed 2 major signings so far, Mitchy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante. Both the new signings will get into the starting eleven straightaway and will play a major role. Other than the new signings, some of the established stars like Fabregas, Hazard, Willian will be expected to give their best in Conte’s first season at Chelsea. All players need to be in good form if Chelsea want to compete for the title next season but two players will have increased responsibilities. They will be the key men in Chelsea’s title challenge next season. Here are the two players and the reasons why they will be vital next season.
1.) Cesc Fabregas
The Spaniard will be a key figure in Chelsea’s squad next season. During Chelsea’s title winning 2014/15 campaign, he was a stalwart in the centre of the park as his passing and understanding of the game created wonders for Chelsea. He had registered a staggering 18 assists that campaign and was the best central midfielder. Fabregas was paired alongside Nemanja Matic last season but next season, Matic will be replaced by N’Golo Kante. Kante was phenomenal for Leicester last season. At Chelsea, Kante will be expected to perform just like he did for Leicester last season and provide good support to Fabregas. Conte’s preferred formation is 4-2-4 and the 2 in the central midfield have to work very hard in this formation. The two players need to have a good understanding of each other’s style of play to perform well in this formation and Fabregas’ experience will come in handy. He is a proven performer in the Premier League and Kante will learn a lot from the Spaniard. And if Kante ans Fabregas stitch a strong partnership, Chelsea will have one of the strongest central midfield in the league. Fabregas will surely be a key player next season for Chelsea.
2.) Michy Batshuayi
Batshuayi was signed for almost 34 million pounds from Marseille and that price tag has increased expectations on him. The Belgian scored more than 20 goals last season in the Frnech league and was the best striker in France. His performances drew attention from Europe’s top clubs and Chelsea signed him. Diego Costa has been Chelsea’s first choice forward for two seasons. But now it seems that Chelsea will be parting ways with the aggressive Spanish forward as he has been heavily linked with a move to his former employees Atletico Madrid. The move seems imminent and that will leave Chelsea with only one proper striker and that is Batshuayi. In his first season at Chelsea, Conte will need an in-form striker before anything else. Batshuayi is in good form and being the only striker will make him a very vital player in the squad. Also, the 34 million price tag adds to the pressure that the young forward already has. Chelsea will need goals and Batshuayi can bring them, in a big number. So Batshuayi will be a very important player next season for Chelsea.
Chelsea
Sonia Bompastor Refuses to Address Sam Kerr Exit Speculation Amid Chelsea Striker’s Uncertain Future
Sonia Bompastor has declined to discuss Sam Kerr’s future at Chelsea amid mounting speculation the Australian superstar will walk away from Stamford Bridge as a free agent this summer. The prolific striker’s contract expires at the end of the current campaign, with numerous reports claiming she has already decided to leave after seven years in English football.
Bompastor shut down questions about Kerr’s situation during her pre match press conference, stating that both the forward and captain Millie Bright, remain under contract for now. The Chelsea boss made clear she will not be drawn into speculation about player futures while matches remain to be played this season.
Sam Kerr Departure Would End Glorious Era
The potential exit of Kerr alongside long time captain Bright would signal the end of Chelsea’s most successful period in their history. The club has already lost Guro Reiten permanently, while Catarina Macario is heading to America on what reports claim will be a record shattering NWSL contract worth millions.
Chelsea appears committed to rebuilding around younger talent rather than extending deals for established stars entering the latter stages of their careers. This strategic shift could see several high profile names depart simultaneously this summer.
American Clubs Preparing Lucrative Offers for Sam Kerr
Multiple NWSL franchises are circling for Kerr’s signature, hoping to lure the Australian back to the United States, where she previously starred before joining Chelsea. The American league has dramatically increased investment in recent years, offering salaries that can now compete with European clubs.
Ian Wright publicly criticized any decision to offer Kerr merely a short extension rather than a substantial long term deal, arguing her legendary status deserves better recognition. However, Chelsea’s transfer strategy appears already set, with youth recruitment taking priority over sentiment towards club icons nearing the end of their peak years.
Chelsea
26-Year-Old Set for $8M Move to San Diego Wave as Chelsea Striker Expected to Leave Stamford Bridge With Transfer Window Nearing Final Days
Catarina Macario is expected to leave Chelsea F.C. Women and complete a move to San Diego Wave FC with the transfer window nearing its final days. Reports suggest the NWSL side is working quickly to finalize the deal, which could be worth roughly $8 million in total contract value.
The proposed transfer fee is believed to be around $300,000, which is frankly a favorable outcome for Chelsea given that Macario’s contract expires this summer. Without a sale now, the American international could have left the club as a free agent at the end of the season, which would have been disastrous business.
San Diego Using High Impact Player Rule
San Diego Wave are planning to sign the forward using the NWSL’s High Impact Player rule, a mechanism that allows clubs to pay certain star players up to $1 million outside the league’s salary cap. To qualify, players must meet specific performance or profile criteria, which Macario certainly does.
The current NWSL salary cap stands at $3.7 million, making the rule an important tool for attracting top international talent. This represents a significant investment from San Diego, who are absolutely serious about building a championship winning squad.
Has Not Featured Regularly for Chelsea
Macario has not featured regularly for Chelsea in recent weeks, partly due to injury concerns and the uncertainty surrounding her future. Despite her absence, Chelsea recently secured their first trophy of the season by defeating Manchester United Women in the Women’s League Cup final.
The London club remain active on multiple fronts, still competing in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and preparing for the quarter final stage of the Women’s FA Cup.
Chelsea Sit Third in WSL
However, Chelsea’s domestic league campaign has been more challenging. For the first time in five seasons, they are no longer clear favorites for the Women’s Super League title under manager Sonia Bompastor.
Chelsea
Joe Montemurro Makes Remarkable Juventus vs Chelsea Comparison After Matildas Gets Past Best Team at Asia Cup
Joe Montemurro showed a flexibility to his approach in the Women’s Asian Cup quarter finals that meant the Matildas prevailed by adapting to the circumstances in front of them, even if it was contradictory to the style that is in his DNA. Australia edged North Korea 2-1 in Perth to make the semi finals in what was a resilient performance against the tournament’s best team.
“Let’s be frank and honest here. Winning football games like that, it usually happens in tournaments,” Montemurro said after the victory. The Italian boss then turned to his captain, Sam Kerr, in the press conference and referenced one of his key wins in European football with Juventus against her Chelsea side.
Had 450 Million Shots and We Had One
“I’ve done it a few times like that in Champions League. I think there was a game against Chelsea, we got a draw. They had 450 million shots, and we had one,” Montemurro said with a smile. This Champions League reference perfectly illustrated the type of performance Australia needed to overcome North Korea.
He added, “We knew that they were a great side. They’re the best team in the tournament. They really are. So we just had to be methodical. Where we won the game were the little bits in between, as we were losing the ball or as we were winning the ball to keep our shape and keep our organisation. We didn’t create much. We had to resist a lot.”
It’s Who I Am But Part of Remit to Win
Montemurro was absolutely honest about abandoning his preferred style for tournament pragmatism. “Do I want to play a possession based game? Do I want to keep the ball? It’s who I am. It’s my DNA, but part of my remit is to win football matches,” he explained.
He continued, “Sometimes you have to have that flexibility. At this level, it’s all about moments. It’s all about taking those moments.”
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