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Chelsea will not rip up winning formula to appease manager and Antonio Conte cannot hold Roman Abramovich to ransom
Antonio Conte will be fighting a losing battle if he tries to take full control at Chelsea, even though the Premier League champions currently expect the Italian to start the season as head coach.
Reports emerged from Italy, where he is spending the summer, that Conte is considering his future over frustration regarding Chelsea’s transfer strategy and a desire to have greater power.
Chelsea described themselves as “relaxed” about the situation and it is understood that Conte has not communicated any displeasure directly to the board.
The club have made Conte an offer to become the highest-paid manager in Chelsea’s history following his superb first season in charge, but will not be held to ransom while the contract extension remains unsigned.
Chelsea believe their structure and strategy has been extremely successful over recent years, as proved by two Premier League titles in the last three years.
Despite managerial changes, Chelsea consistently win silverware and deal well in the transfer market. Even the players who make minimal impact on the first team are generally sold on for profit.
So it makes little sense from Chelsea’s perspective to rip up what has been a successful formula to suit the wishes of Conte or any other manager.
Owner Roman Abramovich can also point to the fact that he was supportive of the 47-year-old during difficult times last season. Following the 3-0 thrashing at Arsenal in Sept, Abramovich spent three successive days at the training ground and made a point of only consulting with Conte.
Abramovich could have easily found players who would have complained about Conte’s tough training sessions at that time, but he was only interested in trying to understand what his head coach was doing and offering help.
Since the Premier League title win, tension has steadily built as Chelsea attempt to kick-off their summer spending, find a solution to Diego Costa’s situation and end any uncertainty over the futures of star duo Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois.
Conte’s decision to tell Costa that he was not part of his plans by text message stunned Chelsea and could well have cost the club millions as their negotiating position is now weakened.
It is believed that Conte took matters into his own hands after becoming agitated over a perceived lack of transfer activity regarding incomings and outgoings since the end of last season.
Conte left for holiday believing a deal to sign Virgil van Dijk was virtually agreed only to find Liverpool had made their own move for the central defender, which has hardened Southampton’s stance and pushed up the asking price.
He was also disappointed Chelsea did not make a bid to sign Dries Mertens before the 30-year-old signed a new Napoli contract at the end of May.
Conte has made it clear he would like to sign Leonardo Bonucci from his former club Juventus, but Chelsea would have to pay over £50m for the 30-year-old and make him one of their highest-paid players.
Despite some setbacks, Chelsea still expect to spend around £200m as they close in on a deal for Monaco midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko and are confident of landing striker Romelu Lukaku from Everton.
Juventus left-back Alex Sandro is also a player on Conte’s wanted list who Chelsea are chasing, while there is interest in Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez and Everton midfielder Ross Barkley.
Willy Caballero is due to complete a free transfer switch to become Chelsea’s new back-up goalkeeper once his Manchester City contract formally expires on June 30.
Caballero has already started speaking with some of the players he believes will be his new team-mates about life at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea faced criticism and allegations that Conte was unhappy about the speed of their transfer dealings last year, and yet the signings of N'Golo Kanté, David Luiz and Marcos Alonso proved to be inspired.
There is a greater urgency this time around as Chelsea also have to plan for a Champions League campaign and have already lost Asmir Begovic and captain John Terry.
Pressure to deliver quickly has been increased by the fact Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have already been active in the transfer market.
Talks have been held with the agent of Courtois and Hazard himself regarding their futures, with Chelsea insistent that neither man will be sold during this transfer window.
Courtois turned down Chelsea’s first new contract offer, but he and the club see that as a normal part of negotiations and plan to resume talks next month. Hazard is expected to be offered a new deal worth around £300,000-a-week.
Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo was one of 23 candidates to be awarded with the Uefa Pro coaching licence at a graduation ceremony at St George's Park.