The Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern are desperate for their side to spend big in January…

The Blues did bring a few players in over the summer, and that has helped Conte somewhat, but it’s clear that more improvement is needed.

Chelsea have had a mixed start to the season, with a defeat to Man City last week exposing some real flaws in Antonio Conte’s system, and so there is a lot of work still to be done.

That work, though, cannot just come in the form of new players. To the contrary, what happens off the field is just as important, and according to the Sun, there could be a big change on the horizon. Recent quotes from Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo, in which he has confirmed his impending retirement, have potentially opened the door to a move to Chelsea as a member of staff, and that’s left the fans in the pub feeling very excited.

Indeed, it’s a move that our landlord is definitely behind, and whilst there is no suggestion that talks are even being considered, there are a number of reasons why they should be.

With that said, here are 2 reasons why Chelsea simply must snap up Andrea Pirlo…

Quality and Experience

On a basic level, they don’t come much better than Andrea Pirlo.

The Italian has dominated the midfield for years, and in his role there is arguably nobody better to have graced a European football pitch. This quality could be transferred to some of Chelsea’s talented midfielders, and there’s no doubting how much this could benefit the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Tiemoue Bakayoko.

Over the years he has also built up a wealth of experience. From Champions Leagues to World Cups, Pirlo has done it all. With Chelsea always keen to reduce the average age of their squad, just like with regards to on the field quality, he could bring so much to the table in terms of experience and how to deal with the big occasions.

 Keep Conte Happy

If he does join, this will be a major factor.

Antonio Conte’s future is always under the microscope, and Chelsea will be doing all they can to keep him at the club.

The two Italian’s know each other well from their time in their native country, and so perhaps the manager would like to have his former key man under his tutelage once again, as his right-hand man in the dugout.

It would be another familiar face and home comfort for the manager, and that would bode well for his long-term future.