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Antonio Conte

Chelsea Youth Development under Antonio Conte

Chelsea Youth Development Boosted By Injury & Transfer Market

By Chelsea Youth DevelopmentNo Comments

Chelsea youth development or the lack of it in the first team is famous. It is continuously debated by fans, bloggers, pundits, journalists and former players.

Chelsea fans wants to see Chelsea youth players break into the first team and contribute to a winning team, however, are unsure if there will ever be the right environment for it to happen for even the most talented player.

Chelsea have one of the best youth set-ups in the country but it has yet to bear fruit for us. It has been successful in creating dozens of professional players plying their trade elsewhere or out on loan. Yet not since John Terry has Chelsea youth development had something to hang its hat on.

Instead of using the youth team managers have repeatedly bought in ready made players. Transfer inflation and competition may be about to change that in the squad positions.

Why Chelsea Youth Development Is A Challenge

Talent is sculpted over time before it is ready for display. So far Chelsea have invested heavily in chisels but failed to find the right subject or the bravery to put it on display.

Picking young players is a calculated gamble by managers. Even last season when there was nothing to play for, experience trumped youth development. This is fuelled by the pressure for results. Which has  created a culture where this is more likely to be punished than rewarded.

What Could Have Changed For Conte

A lack of investment in marquee players during the transfer window due to rampant price inflation and competitiveness for top players, has created an opportunity for Chelsea youth.

Against Leicester injury and lack of alternatives meant that there were four Chelsea youth products sat next to John Terry on the bench.

Two came on as substitutes as we cruised to victory. This could be something we see throughout the season. For the first time in years, we could see multiple youth team products making 10 -15 league appearances in supporting roles.

Hopefully one or two will be able to break through and claim a regular starting place. This is a dream that seems far away at the moment. Yet a few good performances from a prospect and who knows.

We are not there yet but the future of Chelsea youth development looks bright under Antonio Conte in our present set of circumstances.

Oct 18, 2016
Chelsea goal celebration after WIllian scores against Burnley

Chelsea Defeat Burnley – Feeling Positive Ahead Of Intl Break

By Chelsea AnalysisNo Comments

This weekend saw Chelsea defeat Burnley and restore a feeling that has been missing from Stamford Bridge. The feeling of watching a fluid Chelsea defeat Burnley in such a comprehensive way, where the result was barely in doubt has been sorely missed.

Last season every home game felt like we were the underdogs no matter who we were playing. Chances were hard to come by and the opposition defences seemed to have got our attack figured out.

The balance seems to have changed again with the team moving the ball faster and creating more chances. There will be tougher challenges ahead but it is nice to see Chelsea winning the games they are expected to comfortably.

Normality Returns – Chelsea Beat Burnley

A 3-0 win was the perfect performance for a home game against a newly promoted side. Victory against Liverpool convinced some fans that Burnley would be a tough proposition but a near perfect performance quickly put paid to that.

There was an early goal to throttle the opposition game plan, then a 2nd before half time to create a comfort cushion. This allowed Chelsea to relax a little and use substitutions to rest key players. Despit this the chances just kept on coming.

The game was rounded with a late goal for Victor Moses who looks like he will have a role to play in his first full season at the Bridge since 2012/2013.

Looking Ahead – International Break

Chelsea now go into the international break with maximum points from his first three Premier League games. It is far too early to look at the table but this 100% start creates a platform for Antonio Conte to work from as the season gets serious moving into autumn.

September will see the first real challenges to the new Conte era with games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Leicester.

There is a long road to be travelled but as fans we could not be happier to see Chelsea winning again.

Image of Chelsea defeat Burnley were provided by J_D_Fletcher_

Aug 28, 2016
Chelsea EFL Cup Journey Starts

Chelsea EFL Cup – Posh Name For The League Cup

By Chelsea NewsOne Comment

The Chelsea EFL Cup experience gets underway tomorrow as the Blues start their domestic cup competitions early due to a lack of European competition.

The EFL Cup or English Football League Cup is the new name for the League Cup which apparently no longer has enough glamour to attract a sponsor. You may recognise it under previous names as the Worthington Cup, the Carling Cup, The Capital One Cup or for the truly retro the Milk Cup.

The competition is not to be confused with the EFL Trophy which Chelsea will be entering an u23 side as part of a revamp.

Chelsea EFL Cup success is not that distant of a memory. We last won the competition when it was known as the Capital One Cup back in the spring of 2015. A simpler time when everything was going right for Jose Mourinho in his second spell.

Chelsea EFL Cup Embarassment

This is the first time in around 20 years that we have had the ignominy of entering the competition at this stage.

Hopefully, this means that Antonio Conte will take a laid back attitude to the game and play a team balanced to the needs in the Premier League. as he fine tunes the squad in an attempt to finish in a position that avoids this

After all, where we finish in the league can avoid the embarrassment of having to enter the competition in August altogether next year.

EFL CUP Second Round

This negative attitude to playing in the second round of the competition is of no disrespect to our first opponents Bristol City who will visit Stamford Bridge. Hopefully, there will be a decent crowd despite the lack of glamour attached to the tie and we will give the League One team a decent game.

Chelsea EFL Cup journey starts early this year, whatever you think of the competition it is a chance at silverware that after last season should not be sniffed at.

See the full draw here – http://cup.efl.com/news/article/2016-17/efl-cup-round-two-draw-3235278.aspx

 

 

Aug 22, 2016

Chelsea Analysis – Conte Improves Chelsea

By Chelsea AnalysisNo Comments

After two games there is evidence that Antonio Conte improves Chelsea.

If you look at the table alone then Chelsea are off to a flyer with maximum points. However, the results hide the late scrambles that preceded these victories that suggest the Italian still has work to do.

To point out that Chelsea only squeaked past West Ham United and Watford is not a complaint. Winning is the most important part of football and we will take victories any way they come.

Chelsea Analysis – Conte Improves Chelsea

These wins show that Chelsea have returned from a shorter pre-season in great shape and with an added drive and desire that may have been lacking last season.

The mentality and fitness of the squad to turn the games around in the last ten minutes that should leave Chelsea fans feeling positive. Last season things would probably have gone differently with a possible return of only one or two points due to the funk we were in.

A lot has been made that Conte improves Chelsea tactically and so far this is borne out by the success of substitutions. New arrival Michy Batshuayi may not have started a game for Chelsea yet but he has a goal and an assist to his name.

Bringing on a striker when chasing may not be an original idea the changes he has made have made an impact. Particularly in the Watford game where we had only had one shot on target before the first sub was made on 71 minutes.

 

Unfortunately conceding in both games shows that there is still work to do, Conte may have drilled the players well but the leaks are only partially fixed.

On paper we are ok defensively, but last season suggests we are not with support needed for an aging John Terry and a low on confidence Gary Cahill.

There are rumours that Conte is frantically trying to convince the owners to solidify the defence with new signings, but the process is taking time.

In the meantime, the defence looks better but there are still shortcomings that need to be addressed at Cobham or in the transfer market.

On limited evidence, Conte improves Chelsea but we look forward to seeing how he keeps the good start going.

Aug 22, 2016
Cahill To Leave Chelsea

Kurt Zouma Injury Update – Conte In No Rush

By FeaturedOne Comment

The latest on the Kurt Zouma injury is that he has been back in training for a couple of months. Yet Antonio Conte has  made it clear that he will not be rushed back into the team.

Zouma was ruled out for the season in February with an ankle injury, but progress has been cautious during his recovery. He is back training with the first team squad in Austria but is not expected to be in contention for the start of the season. Due to his age and the career he has ahead of him, it is good to know

Kurt Zouma Injury Setback

The Kurt Zouma injury was a bitter blow.

The French defender had just established himself as a first-team regular. With a reputation as a quality centre-back with his pace and committed physical approach.

Last season Kurt Zouma injury free had started 21 Premier League games and had pushed Gary Cahill down the pecking order.

Zouma’s size and presence also made him a formidable threat at set pieces allowing him to add the odd goal to his defensive contribution. A favourite with Chelsea fans, who boom out  ‘Zouma!’ every time he makes a key tackle, header or interception.

Once Zouma is fit again, his focus should be on regaining his place in the Chelsea squad.

Although there is reported interest from other clubs, including Arsenal, fans will be hoping this talk does not come to fruition, and he returns to his best at Stamford Bridge as soon as possible.

If Zouma stays at Stamford Bridge, it is likely the French defender will have a big part to play in rebuilding the Chelsea squad.

With John Terry likely to have a smaller role than in previous seasons, Zouma has the potential to assert himself as Chelsea’s first choice central defender.

If he can do that, then the future for Chelsea and Zouma is bright.

Jul 20, 2016
Antonio Conte Tactics

Antonio Conte Tactics – 3 Things Chelsea Fans Want

By Chelsea NewsOne Comment

Antonio Conte tactics are legendary.  Last season Chelsea were awful and will be relying on the tactical mastery of the Italian to turn things around.

Despite defeat in France, Conte impressed during Euro 2016 with his tactical awareness and mannerisms. They showcased intelligence and passion two things fans crave in their managers.

Chelsea fans will be expecting him to turn things around quickly, and there are three areas they will want to see him make an impact.

Antonio Conte Tactics In Action

Chelsea were continuously out thought last season by managers that had worked out how to counter Chelsea’s predictable style of play.

To improve on next season, Antonio Conte will need to make Chelsea less predictable and have more options when plan A is not working. Conte showed his tactical skills during the European Championships. His ability to out think the opposition is one of the qualities that excites fans. They will be hoping to see Chelsea tactically dominate their opponents next season.

Tactics may seem a shallow argument but get it right and the Blues can dictate the games at their pace and have more success in games where we are evenly matched with our opposition.

A Faster Paced Attack

Chelsea lost the majority of their games last season despite dominating the play and possession. Chelsea failed to create chances as the Blues would slow the game down allowing opposition defences to get organised.

Chelsea fans will be looking for a more exciting and direct style of play, getting the ball into the box faster and taking shots earlier in attacking moves. Rather than trying to walk the ball into the net.

This may see Chelsea buy a fleet of new players, or they could just stick with those that they already have. They could even look to keep some of the players on the ongoing Chelsea loan treadmill. The likes of Victor Moses and Juan Cuadrado could come back and make a real impact if played in the right system by the right manager who gives them confidence to perform.

A Tighter Defence

Successful Chelsea teams have been built on defence, but last year things fell apart. Chelsea conceded 53 goals last season more than any season in the last decade. Conte will be expected to bring a defensive discipline to the side and stem the flow of goals.

Success will rely on managing the fitness and performances of captain John Terry after he was given a contract extension and bringing Kurt Zouma back into the slide slowly following a serious injury. Zouma will not be rushed back but he should be in the mind of Antonio Conte. He could also look at some of the youth or newer players such as Matt Miazga or Jake Clarke-Salter. A chase for John Stones should not be ruled out but with Everton looking to build it is unlikely that Chelsea will be able to invest the sum needed to draw him away.

Jul 18, 2016
Antonio Conte Chelsea Manager

Pre-Season Can Begin For Antonio Conte & Chelsea!

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

They say that football is a game where 22 men run around for up to 120 minutes and then the Germans win on penalties. The defeat of Italy means that Antonio Conte will say goodbye to the Azzurri and the real business of the summer begins as he looks to make his mark at Chelsea.

Antonio Conte comes with a pedigree but so have countless other managers before him like Felipe Scolari and Andre Villas Boas, to succeed he will need to make an impact and make it quickly.

Plenty of Work For Antonio Conte

He has plenty of work to do, there are problems to solve up and down the pitch to make the Blues competitive in a league where the standard has bumped up a notch in the last 18 months. During his time in charge of Italy our new coach has impressed with his tactical knowledge and passion, two things that Chelsea need in spades to turn things around.

The Blues need to close the leaks defensively whilst adding a more direct and attacking style of play that does not rely on making 100 passes before finally thinking about shooting on goal. In midfield the Blues need to add some solidity far too often last season teams would simply blast through the middle in one or two passes and create a chance that would take endless build up for Chelsea to create.

We are likely to see some changes in personnel and players that have been evergreen during the last 2-5 years may suddenly find their positions under threat unless they can step up to the plate.

It sounds simple doesn’t it concede less and score more, maybe this is why our level of tactical knowledge is restricted to posts on a fan site rather than managing the team ourselves.

We look forward to seeing what the first steps he takes are to move Chelsea forwards

 

 

Jul 4, 2016