Three Players Who Ancelotti Should Sign If He Takes Over At Chelsea
Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly the first choice to take over from Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, whose future at Stamford Bridge remains in jeopardy.
According to reports, Ancelotti, who was sacked by Bayern Munich at the end of September despite having led them to the Bundesliga title last term, is on Chelsea’s radar. He is tipped to replace his compatriot Conte, who won the Premier League last season, in his first campaign with Chelsea.
It is believed Conte and the Chelsea board are at loggerheads over a lack of summer recruitment and relatively poor start to the league, where they trail leaders Manchester City by nine points after just ten matches.
Reports this week claimed former Chelsea boss Ancelotti had been earmarked as the club’s number one choice to replace Conte, which the ex-Juventus boss has denied.
Ancelotti, on his part, has denied the links too, but hasn’t ruled out a return to the Premier League. However, if Ancelotti, who won the league and cup double with Chelsea in 2009-10, replaces Conte, here are three players he should bring in.
Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez was on the verge of a £45m switch to Chelsea in the summer after Leicester had granted him permission to speak to the Blues. But the deal never materialized and the 26-year-old winger has since stayed with Leicester.
The Algeria international handed in a transfer request earlier this summer but has continued to perform at the top level for the Foxes. He was largely off-colour last season but has shown that he is capable of producing magical moments time and again.
Mahrez, who was named PFA player of the year when Leicester were crowned the Premier League champions, has proven himself at the highest level and that has seen him garner a lot of attention from some of the top European clubs.
Chelsea are playing in the Champions League this season and that should be enough for Ancelotti to lure Mahrez, who is ready to leave the former champions.
Jean Michael Seri
OGC Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri was tipped to join Barcelona in the summer. However, it was reported that the club’s bosses caused the collapse of his move to Barcelona, and Seri said he was still open to joining any big clubs in Europe.
Seri, who has shined for Nice in the last two seasons, is a dynamic midfielder and has the attributes that would allow him to face the challenges at the Stamford Bridge. The 25-year-old Ivorian is somewhat like N’Golo Kante – tenacious, humble, hard-working, but more composed in front of goal.
It is clear Chelsea are currently struggling in the league without Kante, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury. Seri could be a perfect fit for Ancelotti’s style of play and should also act as cover to Kante.
Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney, a lifelong Celtic fan, has been at the Glasgow club since the age of 7, rising through the Hoops’ youth ranks and making his name as one of the most talented young players in Scotland. The 20-year-old left-back has built a strong reputation that has seen him get linked with Manchester United and Tottenham.
Blessed with great power and technique, Tierney could prove to be a fantastic signing for Ancelotti. Despite Chelsea having the likes of Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta as options at left-back, the Scottish international has all the qualities to succeed them in the future.
If Ancelotti replaces Conte at Chelsea, the Italian should act fast to sign the talented Tierney, with United and Spurs waiting in the wings.