It is fair to say that there were few positives to take out of last weekend’s Community Shield, aside from the performance of Courtois, and Conte look a flustered figure on the sidelines throughout. I have to say I wasn’t overly fussed – I mean when did we ever have a good pre-season? However, the defeat against Burnley on Saturday is a different matter entirely.
Antonio Conte came out last week and said it was vital that we avoid a Mourinho-like season at Stamford Bridge; something our former manager didn’t take kindly to. The fact of the matter is that the Italian is under no illusions that there is massive pressure on us, given the extra involvement of Champions League football this time around and the Blues will be under far more pressure and scrutiny from the opposition from day dot. Conte was the underdog going into the last campaign; however, the title success means we are very much there to be shot at.
So the burning question is have we done enough in the transfer market to ensure our squad can deal with the extra pressures? Antonio Conte snapped in this week’s press conference when asked about the club’s transfer business this summer; however, you do have to question it, with the likes of Frank Lampard expressing concern at the lack of additions, as well as the decision to allow Matic to move on.
My big fear is that whilst we have brought in undoubted quality, have we got enough experience for our money? Unproven in the Premier League and for the large part the Champions League, I do wonder whether this is what Conte was looking for this summer – or just making do. There have been rumblings that Conte has been agitated that his prime targets have moved elsewhere, notably the proven Lukaku, and we have had to make do with Morata – in the hope of finding an adequate replacement for Diego Costa.
I do wonder whether Antonio will regret his handling of the Spaniard at the end of the season and whether he should look in fact to bring him back into the fold until the January window at least, when a likely move back to Atletico Madrid will be forthcoming.Personally I don’t see what we have to lose, as it is very unlikely that Morata, who did score on his debut from the bench, is going to hit the ground running giving his lack of experience and although Costa had no such issues following his arrival from La Liga in 2014, it is fair to say that he is a different beast altogether.
Of course there is still time left in the transfer window; however, are we panicking over nothing here? Let’s be honest the nucleus of the squad is still in place – given most of our departures were fringe players. Having a big squad is all well and good, but is there a better match day squad of 18 thatis better than ours within the Premier League?
Bookmakers are very rarely wrong and most have us down as second favourites for the title behind Manchester City and you can sign up now to get the 10bet free bet. 7/2 is pretty long odds for defending champions and that is reflective of Chelsea’s activity in the transfer market, in addition to City’s. Man City are as short as 7/4 with some bookies and whilst I feel that a lot of that is down to the amount Pep Guardiola has spent at the Etihad, the truth remains that we destroyed them over two games last season and their squad will need to take a longer time to settle than most before they gel. Tottenham will be there or thereabouts and are largely priced at 10/1, as will Manchester United who are 10/3, but is there any reason why we couldn’t be the first team since 2009 to retain the Premier League title? I can’t see anyone taking our crown this season, therefore I know where I will be putting my money on.
