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Full-Back Rather Than Centre-Back Is the Area Antonio Conte Needs to Strengthen
- Updated: August 26, 2016
Chelsea’s transfer dealings—or lack thereof—were the main topic of conversation at Antonio Conte’s press conference ahead of the Blues’ meeting with Burnley this weekend.
With the transfer deadline looming, Conte has still to add any defensive reinforcements to his team. Papy Djilibodji and Baba Rahman have left the club since the new manager arrived—permanently and on loan, respectively—so Chelsea have started the season with just four recognised first-team defenders.
Michael Hector has also joined Eintracht Frankfurt for the season, while Matt Miazga has yet to make a matchday squad.
That has left Conte with the same back line—Branislav Ivanovic, Gary Cahill, John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta—that conceded 55 goals in the Premier League last season. That was Chelsea’s worst defensive record in 20 years.
The Blues may have won their opening three games of 2016/17, but they’ve conceded four goals in the process. With a leaking defence and player shortages, it’s clear Conte has some work to do, but with time running out, the question is whether or not he can get the players he needs.
“I must be honest, I think we’ll have a problem to reach our targets,” the Blues manager explained to journalists. “I still hope with this transfer market to improve the squad and the team with some new players, but we understand our targets are very difficult to reach.
“But we have a game against Burnley for now, which is more important than the transfer market. Then, after that, I hope [we can sign] some more players before the deadline.”
He adds we have transfer targets but given the nature of the market admits it’s ‘very difficult’ to buy. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 26, 2016
Gossip columns tell us it’s Kalidou Koulibaly (Evening Standard) and Alessio Romagnoli (BBC Sport) that Conte is chasing. Both are centre-backs and would bolster Chelsea’s options at the heart of defence. With Kurt Zouma edging closer to full fitness, either one would give the manager four defenders to choose from.
Conte has made no secret of his frustration with the inflated prices the club are being quoted. For Koulibaly, it could be …
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