Chelsea announced the appointment of Italy manager Antonio Conte yesterday, in a move which attracted a mixed reception from the Blues contingency here in the Transfer Tavern.
Some supporters and indeed ex-professionals have labelled the appointment of Conte as risky and they have a point.
Conte has managed Juventus and Italy and with no experience of managing in the Premier League, many of the Blues supporters present in the Tavern are concerned that this appointment might come back to haunt the club.
Chelsea will not take part in European competition next season realistically and attracting players might be tricky for the Italian.
One supporter is getting himself ready for the pool knockout which is taking place in the Tavern this evening, and he thinks the club have made a rod for their own back, by not appointing someone with a proven track record in the Premier League.
Lee Clarke takes a look at FIVE reasons why Antonio Conte is destined to fail in the Premier League with Chelsea next season……
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE REASONS!
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Premier League experience is lacking
Although Antonio Conte has managed in Serie A and on the international stage, which can hardly prepare a manager for a foray into Premier League management.
Many have tried and failed in adapting to life as a foreign coach managing in the top flight of English football and there are no guarantees at this stage that Conte will be a success.
The Premier League is unlike no other league and each and every team will be hoping to make life as difficult for Chelsea, and indeed Conte, during the 2016/17 campaign.
Whilst he has adapted to different environments in the past, nothing compares to the pressure on a manager in the top flight of English football.
No European football for the Blues
It is all good and well the English media linking world class player with Chelsea in the wake of Conte’s appointment, but just how much of an attraction is a move to Stamford Bridge going to be.
Would Gonzalo Higuain really leave Napoli for Chelsea when they have no Champions League or Europa League football to contend with? You would have to suggest not.
Conte is undoubtedly a coach with a renowned reputation but in the modern-day environment of agents and representatives, I genuinely believe he might find issues when trying to sign players for the Blues.
Roman Abramovich
The Chelsea owner is not one to be giving managers lots of time, especially if results on the pitch are not going the way of Chelsea.
Antonio Conte possesses no Premier League experience whatsoever and the appointment in the first place is a massive risk to a club the size of Chelsea.
Conte must be aware that he will need to get the Blues firing on all cylinders as quickly as possible and a poor run of form early into his career, could see him pay the price.
After all, we know that the Russian billionaire isn’t bothered about firing managers!
Competition in the Premier League
This summer will see Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Manchester City and even Leicester City all strengthen their squads.
Chelsea have to make sure that they do not get left behind by their rivals in the transfer market and despite their previous successes, they are unlikely to be in European competition which could make things tricky.
If Chelsea stand toe-to-toe with say Arsenal for a signing, you would have to make the Gunners favourites based on their ability to offer Champions League football.
Conte managed Juventus in Serie A and they were always the ‘big fish’, whereas Chelsea certainly aren’t the major force of the Premier League anymore.
Expectation levels
Chelsea fans are hopeful that his season has been merely a blip, but it is impossible to know whether that is the case or not.
Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City have all been way off the title pace this season but they will be back stronger and better than ever next season.
Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp could go far next season too and Chelsea need to ensure that they hit the ground running come August.
Conte can ill-afford a few bad results early into his days as Chelsea boss and the Stamford Bridge faithful will be quick to let him know if the results – and performances – are not at a required level.
