In an official club statement, Chelsea have confirmed the immediate departure of Antonio Conte.
In 2 seasons as Chelsea boss, Conte won one Premier League title and enjoyed one FA Cup triumph. The FA Cup final victory over Manchester United proved to be Conte’s final outing as the man in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Conte will perhaps be best remembered by Blues fans, besides for the titles he won, as the man who introduced the wing-back tactical system that transformed the club’s fortunes and altered the way so many Premier League teams were playing the game at the time.
Such tactical developments, and the introduction of new positions to the Chelsea system, breathed new life into the careers of players such as Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses. It also brought success to the club.
Over the course of Conte’s reign though, other members of the squad fell by the wayside. They will now be hoping that the manager’s departure could signal a way back into the fold for them.
The centre-back with 56 Brazil caps fell almost completely out of the picture last season, managing only a handful of League appearances across the course of the campaign.
Now in his second spell at Chelsea, the 31-year-old will hope he will be afforded the opportunity to force his way back into contention under new management.
Whilst Luiz has shown himself capable of calamitous defensive errors in the past, he is equally likely to turn in a titanic performance when his side need it most.
Following his big money move from Monaco last summer, Bakayoko’s time in England can only be considered to have been disastrous so far.
A particularly shocking showing against Watford where he was sent off after only half an hour, and it seemed to cause Chelsea’s performance to improve, was a real lowlight for the Frenchman. He also saw his poor club form cost him his place in the international reckoning in a World Cup year.
Many will have already written the 23-year-old off, but Bakayoko will be desperate for one last chance to prove his doubters wrong. The arrival of new management could provide the fresh start he needs.
