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Will Antonio Conte succeed at Chelsea?


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Old 20-08-2016, 17:35
Dandem
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He's grounded out 2 positive results against awkward, tricky opposition. So far so good for him.
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Old 20-08-2016, 19:55
Mark F
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I don't know but he made more vital subs today which won them the game and he certainly won't be giving up easily.

We all saw in the Euros Conte's passion on the touchline and I suspect he won't let the Chelsea players lapse in concentration or form like they did last season.
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Old 20-08-2016, 20:25
Michael_Vaughan
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Two wins out of two is the perfect PL start from him. He may suffer from the media through not having the 'glamour' of a Guardiola or Mourinho.

No European football is a great advantage for a team with Chelsea's budget. Plus more than a few squad members who know what it takes to win a title from two seasons ago.
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Old 21-08-2016, 12:23
Dixon
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For me, this season is all about Conte having a good look at the players, seeing who he wants to go forward with, who he wants to get rid of, looking for layers to bring in, and a top four finish. It is very clear the defence needs new talent!
Style of play etc is not important atm.
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Old 21-08-2016, 15:14
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Agreed that the board have probably asked for a top 4 finish, but I think they will have also added that the club should be challenging for the title as well. With the current squad that's not possible and Conte knows that.

Lukaku isn't worth any where near £75 million and Koulibaly might not be suited to the PL, and £50 million would then be embarrassing. Look at Mangala over at City.

Given that Costa could have been sent off twice in two games, and will probably be suspended at least three times during the course of the season, another striker is a must, as Remy cannot be relied upon as back up. Whenever he has been needed he has been injured and / or under performed.

I was criticised for saying that Oscar and Pedro should be sold. They were both ineffective against Watford. The play was blunt, and I just don't see the point in retaining them. They would raise around £50 million on the transfer market, and that money could be spent on a more robust, stronger player who is suited to the rigours of the English league.

As predicted, Moses was effective when he came on with strong, direct running, as was Batshuayi. I'm sure that Oscar and Pedro look great in training and have a good attitude. Unfortunately there are no points for performing well on the training ground.

Last season, mourhino said that Oscar could step up to challenge Hazard. Anyone in the know just laughed. This season, a few pundits suggested he could take Fabregas's place. Again, laughter. He has a good attitude, but he's just not good enough for the PL week in week out. A squad player at best.
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Old 21-08-2016, 15:28
Dixon
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Sadly, I have to agree about Oscar.
We keep waiting and waiting to see him produce what he's capable of doing, but he rarely ever does. If Conte cannot get anything out of him by Xmas then he has to be moved on.
Pedro is just not good enough!
We desperately need a quality right back and two new, mobile centre backs.

I think City and Utd will be well ahead of us this season, so just a top four will do fine for me this year. I think we'll finish 3rd.
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Old 21-08-2016, 22:05
alancracker
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Costa?

The way he conducts himself is a big issue for CFC. Having a good striker is key to be a challenger and to me Costa is by far your best one at present - but he needs to not be suspended as without him you are seriously weakened..I have never been one to lay into him like many did in the past - for instance after the game V AFC at SB last season with the Gabriel sending off or the mini fracas at Goodison either - I think there is an element that the media love to manufacture a villain and he fits the bill for them. I did feel a bit for him as it was getting a bit silly.

But those around CFC (manager, players, owner and fans) need to be honest with themselves - this season the truth is that he has been very lucky to not be sent off in both the games played so far. Against WH while on a yellow he did the reckless tackle on the keeper, he then exaggerated a fall in the box trying for a pen and then after he scored he went into the crowd to celebrate so 3 different reasons for which he could have had a second yellow (most pundits have only highlighted the first one). Then V Watford when on a yellow again (for mouthing off) he does an obvious dive which should have been a second yellow = a red for sure.

If this continues it will only be a matter of time before the inevitable happens and he ends up suspended - Conte needs to try to get him to act with more sense but whether he will or not remains to be seen. I have no problem with him supporting him in public interviews but in private he should be bending his ear big style.

Maybe you should have gone for Lukaku as an alternative as he for sure is a good player who will always score - and it is not as if CFC does not have the money to do so.
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Old 22-08-2016, 11:52
Dixon
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You have to take the rough with the smooth with Costa.
At 28 he's unlikely to be able to change his ways. It is embarrassing seeing him dive like he did on Saturday, but I think if all the bad side to his make up is taken away, it would take away the edge he appears to need to perform at his best.
For all his faults, I'm a big fan of what he brings to the team.
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Old 22-08-2016, 14:12
carefree_blue
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Sadly, I have to agree about Oscar.
We keep waiting and waiting to see him produce what he's capable of doing, but he rarely ever does. If Conte cannot get anything out of him by Xmas then he has to be moved on.
Pedro is just not good enough!
We desperately need a quality right back and two new, mobile centre backs.
Time is indeed running out for Oscar. Hopefully Conte can coax some consistent performances out of him but I'm not holding my breath. Pedro has been a disappointing signing. I'd be looking to move him and Cuadrado on and bring in another AM.

One new CB would do for now, with Zouma returning soon, and Christensen impressing on loan. It's a LB we need more than a RB though, then Azpi can switch back to his natural side.
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Old 22-08-2016, 14:40
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Time is indeed running out for Oscar. Hopefully Conte can coax some consistent performances out of him but I'm not holding my breath. Pedro has been a disappointing signing. I'd be looking to move him and Cuadrado on and bring in another AM.

One new CB would do for now, with Zouma returning soon, and Christensen impressing on loan. It's a LB we need more than a RB though, then Azpi can switch back to his natural side.
We simply have to make a couple of signings just to make up the numbers in the back four. Zouma probably won't be back until the new year, Rahman and Ake sent out on loan. Christensen cant be recalled as far as I know. Even Hector has joined the loan army, with our emergency LB Kenedy likely to follow.
I'm not saying any of the loans were necessarily wrong, perhaps they were the correct long-term decisions. But it does border on incompetence to loan out players before you've signed quality replacements..in my opinion anyway. A couple of injuries or suspensions and we'll be presumably using Mikel as a CB again.
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Old 22-08-2016, 15:26
carefree_blue
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We simply have to make a couple of signings just to make up the numbers in the back four. Zouma probably won't be back until the new year, Rahman and Ake sent out on loan. Christensen cant be recalled as far as I know. Even Hector has joined the loan army, with our emergency LB Kenedy likely to follow.
I'm not saying any of the loans were necessarily wrong, perhaps they were the correct long-term decisions. But it does border on incompetence to loan out players before you've signed quality replacements..in my opinion anyway. A couple of injuries or suspensions and we'll be presumably using Mikel as a CB again.
Yes, it's ridiculous letting them go before bringing anyone in. At the time Rahman went i wondered if we had a deal lined up for a new LB, but obviously not. What's the betting that all we end up with is another random transfer deadline day signing that no-one's heard of and isn't deemed good enough to play like with that Papy fella last year?
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:01
Michael_Vaughan
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We simply have to make a couple of signings just to make up the numbers in the back four. Zouma probably won't be back until the new year, Rahman and Ake sent out on loan. Christensen cant be recalled as far as I know. Even Hector has joined the loan army, with our emergency LB Kenedy likely to follow.
I'm not saying any of the loans were necessarily wrong, perhaps they were the correct long-term decisions. But it does border on incompetence to loan out players before you've signed quality replacements..in my opinion anyway. A couple of injuries or suspensions and we'll be presumably using Mikel as a CB again.

Is it really incompetence or partly realising that you only need a squad to fight for domestic honours this season. You can't be sure these loan moves would or wouldn't have happened had your club been in the PL.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:02
Michael_Vaughan
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We simply have to make a couple of signings just to make up the numbers in the back four. Zouma probably won't be back until the new year, Rahman and Ake sent out on loan. Christensen cant be recalled as far as I know. Even Hector has joined the loan army, with our emergency LB Kenedy likely to follow.
I'm not saying any of the loans were necessarily wrong, perhaps they were the correct long-term decisions. But it does border on incompetence to loan out players before you've signed quality replacements..in my opinion anyway. A couple of injuries or suspensions and we'll be presumably using Mikel as a CB again.

Is it really incompetence or partly realising that you only need a squad to fight for domestic honours this season. You can't be sure these loan moves would or wouldn't have happened had your club been in the CL.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:05
alancracker
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You have to take the rough with the smooth with Costa.
At 28 he's unlikely to be able to change his ways. It is embarrassing seeing him dive like he did on Saturday, but I think if all the bad side to his make up is taken away, it would take away the edge he appears to need to perform at his best.
For all his faults, I'm a big fan of what he brings to the team.
I can see where you are coming from - but to me some of it can be eliminated with some good man management from Conte - and using his brain from Costa.

Since Luis left he has become the number one media villain in this country and some of his treatment from the media has been a bit unfair imo as I said before but this season if he had had two reds in two games he could have had no complaints. His manager should be explaining this to him and telling him what a lucky boy he is and telling him he has to try to mend his ways.

To be specific - whatever happens keep your mouth shut, do not dive, do not celebrate with the crowd after a goal - its not rocket science - the foul on the keeper was foolish yes but not malicious but it was unnecessary for him to make that challenge and so he also needs to learn when to challenge and when not to.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:09
RichmondBlue
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Yes, it's ridiculous letting them go before bringing anyone in. At the time Rahman went i wondered if we had a deal lined up for a new LB, but obviously not. What's the betting that all we end up with is another random transfer deadline day signing that no-one's heard of and isn't deemed good enough to play like with that Papy fella last year?
Yes, another last day panic signing would be a massive disappointment.
It appears as if out pursuit of Koulibaly has been in vain, reports are saying he's now about to sign an extension to his contract with Napoli. I can't help feeling that we could have handled that one better, a big, decisive bid at the start might have successful. We are now turning our attention to other targets, Maksimovic is a possibility.
As you say, a LB should be a priority. With Azpilicueta a natural RB, we find ourselves without a genuine LB in the squad..that must be a first ! But we've been strangely quiet about signing a FB on either side, I can't understand our policy at times.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:14
Monkey Harris
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I can see where you are coming from - but to me some of it can be eliminated with some good man management from Conte - and using his brain from Costa.

Since Luis left he has become the number one media villain in this country and some of his treatment from the media has been a bit unfair imo as I said before but this season if he had had two reds in two games he could have had no complaints. His manager should be explaining this to him and telling him what a lucky boy he is and telling him he has to try to mend his ways.

To be specific - whatever happens keep your mouth shut, do not dive, do not celebrate with the crowd after a goal - its not rocket science - the foul on the keeper was foolish yes but not malicious but it was unnecessary for him to make that challenge and so he also needs to learn when to challenge and when not to.
I dont think its anything we as a club can control, its down to the player to sort himself out and much as I love him as a player I have my doubts.

You are a Liverpool fan? You had the same thing with Suarez, Im sure your staff told him time after time and he continued to let you down and behave badly yet he moves to Barca and turns into the model pro! I dont think it was down to negligence on the part of Liverpool that he did what he did, it was down to him at the end of the day.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:16
RichmondBlue
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Is it really incompetence or partly realising that you only need a squad to fight for domestic honours this season. You can't be sure these loan moves would or wouldn't have happened had your club been in the CL.
If Zouma had been fit, and we'd kept Baba Rahman for another season, I might agree with you. But given the age of Ivanovic (along with his lack of his form) and Terry, I think it's a risk we didn't need to take.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:25
Nova21
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I dont think its anything we as a club can control, its down to the player to sort himself out and much as I love him as a player I have my doubts.

You are a Liverpool fan? You had the same thing with Suarez, Im sure your staff told him time after time and he continued to let you down and behave badly yet he moves to Barca and turns into the model pro! I dont think it was down to negligence on the part of Liverpool that he did what he did, it was down to him at the end of the day.
Slight difference is that Suarez did seem to get himself under control eventually, and just lost the plot very occasionally after he had clearly been given a talking to and had a look at what his behavior was doing to the image of the club... Costa is a horrible dislikeable cheat in most games.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:33
Monkey Harris
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Slight difference is that Suarez did seem to get himself under control eventually, and just lost the plot very occasionally after he had clearly been given a talking to and had a look at what his behavior was doing to the image of the club... Costa is a horrible dislikeable cheat in most games.
Similar in that Suarez sorted out Suarez which is what Im trying to say. Chelsea can say what they like to Costa but he will do what he wants and its down to him for the penny to drop.

Liverpool bent over backwards for Suarez and he still disrespected them with his behaviour, I have no doubt he was told by Ajax, by his national team and many times by Liverpool but it made no difference until he decided to clean up his act.
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Old 22-08-2016, 16:38
RichmondBlue
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I can see where you are coming from - but to me some of it can be eliminated with some good man management from Conte - and using his brain from Costa.

Since Luis left he has become the number one media villain in this country and some of his treatment from the media has been a bit unfair imo as I said before but this season if he had had two reds in two games he could have had no complaints. His manager should be explaining this to him and telling him what a lucky boy he is and telling him he has to try to mend his ways.

To be specific - whatever happens keep your mouth shut, do not dive, do not celebrate with the crowd after a goal - its not rocket science - the foul on the keeper was foolish yes but not malicious but it was unnecessary for him to make that challenge and so he also needs to learn when to challenge and when not to.
Costa probably thinks he has calmed down a lot, did you see some of his antics playing for Atletico ?

But seriously, you're right of course. I think it's just become so much part of his game, he'll never really change. A lot of it is fake, a way to pump himself up. If you examine his play, he doesn't do much worse than any other combative striker. But the media needs a pantomime villain.
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Old 22-08-2016, 17:57
hunter23
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He's grounded out 2 positive results against awkward, tricky opposition. So far so good for him.
tbf at least one should be a draw. costa scored the two goals that won them the games where he shouldn't have been on the pitch.
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Old 22-08-2016, 18:48
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The PL is ultra competitive, and even more so now with yet more money being pumped in. The opposition will try and do anything to get an edge, and that definitely includes winding up a reactive player like Costa. All the coaching staff need to get through is that every time he reacts to the goading and winding up, he has lost, and the opposition will do more of the same the next time they meet.

A lot of ugly stuff goes on out of sight of the ref', and Costa needs to make his point to the ref; without getting abusive, not react in plain sight of the officials. His competitive edge is great, but the way he reacts could cost the team huge.

The FA are heading in the right direction with refereeing. This season, outright pushes on players are now fouls, and manhandling at corners is being punished more. Abusing the ref's is also now yellow carded more and rightly so. Without the changes, all the English game will do is encourage brute force and punish real skill and talent.
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Old 25-08-2016, 21:59
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Eduardo has joined the club. Echoes of Hilario there, who was very good when called upon. That elusive CB has still not materialised. Latest is that Romagnoli won't be joining. Still don't see what's wrong with Lindalof. Does AC not like Swedes? The big man seems to be focusing on Serie A players, and those players are attracting hefty premiums just because the bidding club is English.

Players in and out:

Pedro should be sold for £20 million +. Maybe he could be make weight in a bid for another player.

Cuadrado should stay. I'd like to see him provide much needed competition for Willian. I don't buy the argument that's he's irreplaceable. His shots are too often keeper height, he rarely scores, he rarely provides assists, and he passes backwards all too often and doesn't beat his man. Those are the facts. Cuadrado could do better than that.

Remy should be sold for around £7 million. Maybe Solanke could join the squad as a third striker.

Conte looks a very solid manager, and if he gets the right squad he could win the PL in his first season.
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Old 25-08-2016, 22:10
owen10
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Can you see

Oscar
Cesc Fabregas
Loic Remy
Pedro

Leaving in this transfer window
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Old 25-08-2016, 22:17
carefree_blue
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Can you see

Oscar
Cesc Fabregas
Loic Remy
Pedro

Leaving in this transfer window
Only Remy perhaps, if we bring another forward in. The others will all stay.
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