Antonio Conte will be taking over Chelsea, after the Euro 2016 tournament in France concludes. His Italy side are looking good at the moment, as they beat the defending champions Spain by a couple of goals and knocked them out of the competition. The defence minded approach that the former Juventus boss has applied has worked well for his team, who were through to the knockout stages as group leaders and will now face World Champions Germany in the quarter final stages.
Once the Italian main-man is done with his duties as the national side’s coach, he will be heading to Stamford Bridge, looking to improve things for the Premier League giants, who struggled to impress in the previous campaign.
Things are expected to be quite different under Conte, who is currently trying to sign big players for the west London side, whom he hopes to start in his side for the upcoming campaign. Here are three reasons why the Blues really need to get a marquee signing this summer, if they wish to challenge for some major titles in the upcoming season:
3. To assert his arrival at the Premier League stage:
Conte needs to make a strong statement once he arrives in England, as he hasn’t previously managed a club in the Premier League, despite his success in his native country. A marquee signing will definitely help him do that, as it can help him send a message to the other top clubs who will be competing against Chelsea, in the race to win the top flight of English football next term. The Londoners do have the money to spend and they need to show that they are willing to do so, in order to be taken seriously. Conte knows the type of players he wants to bring in, as he has already made it clear he will be playing the ones who can fit into his style of football well. This could mean that a big signing could definitely coming in this summer.
2. Help him retain some of his departing players:
When a manager spends big to buy a new high quality star, it only shows that he is heading in the right direction and his ambitions of winning. Conte is well respected and if he ends up adding another top star to his squad, it could lift the morale of the players and the fans both. Some stars who might be considering leaving the club might even stay for a season or two, just to see how things go with the changes the new boss makes. Also, the opportunity to play alongside a world-class is sometimes a big temptation for the younger less famous stars as well, which could possiblu have a positive impact on his side as well.
1. Fill the void in the current Chelsea squad:
There are certain areas in the current squad that need major improvements and Conte will want to focus on those first. A big money signing could help change that and the new player that might come in, could link up well with his team-mates and also help strengthen other areas on the pitch as well. We have often seen a big signing makes a huge difference to the entire team’s play, adding fresh energy and enthusiasm and this could be the case if Chelsea get their hands on one such talisman as well.
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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