Chelsea fans in the Football Transfer Tavern have been rather impatient in recent weeks, seeing other clubs make their mark in the transfer market or unveiling their new managers. Well now they can start to get excited as well.
With Italy now out of Euro 2016, manager Antonio Conte is now free to begin his reign at Stamford Bridge, having agreed to have charge earlier this year.
If his Italy side’s performances this summer – alongside his own passionate and thoroughly entertaining demeanour – are anything to go by, then Chelsea fans have every reason to be excited at the prospect of the former Juventus and Bari manager taking charge ahead of the new season.
The Italian managed to take his Azzurri side all the way to the quarter-finals of this summers tournament in France, where they were then unlucky to be knocked out by current World Champions on penalties, in what was one of the most memorable and calamitous shoot-outs of recent times.
Despite being finalists back in 2012, the squad’s progress came much to the surprise of the country with his side being dubbed the ‘worst ever’ by fans and pundits alike – but can now return home with their heads held firmly high.
Among their star performers was the unlikely name of Emanuele Giaccherini – the Sunderland flop who was unable to hold down a regular starting place at the Stadium of Light and was promptly loaned to Serie A side Bologna.
The midfielder’s tireless and classy displays in the centre of the park have turned many a head, including those of the Chelsea fans, with the former Juventus man now being linked with a reunion with Antonio Conte at the Bridge next season.
According to the players agent, a move to Chelsea would be ‘a dream’ for Giaccherini, and our local fans at the bar think the switch would be a wise one. They’ve given us three reasons why Antonio Conte could get the best out of his Italy star next season if he were to make the switch to the Bridge …..
Familiarity
The most obvious reason that Antonio Conte will be able to get the best from Giaccherini is that he is familiar with him. Chelsea’s new man signed the midfielder whilst at Juventus – but was later to sell him to Sunderland to ‘raise funds’ – and has again been in charge of him as Italy coach over the past two years.
The former Juve boss knows his strengths, weaknesses, best positions and how he interacts with other players on the pitch – things that are too often forgotten by many managers when signing players before wondering why they aren’t working effectively.
On a High
Giaccherini has tackled adversity in his career to get to the position he is now. Having been sold by Juventus and then considered surplus to requirements at Sunderland, the Italian is now in the form of his life having enjoyed a successful season at Bologna followed by a brilliant Euro 2016.
Antonio Conte has restored the in-form midfielder’s confidence by re-calling him to the national side and has given him the opportunity to show what he is capable of on the world stage. A player in-form is dangerous, and if he were to arrive at Chelsea he would do, full of confidence and with the backing of his manager to boot.
Formation
During his time at Sunderland, Giaccherini was often deployed as a winger with little to no support around him. While he is certainly capable of playing this position, the Italian is much more at home in the centre of the park where he can work from box-to-box – as seen at this summer’s Euros where he played with Italy.
At Chelsea, Antonio Conte is likely to deploy a 3-5-2 as he has done for so many of his previous clubs, and hence the midfielder would more than likely be playing his preferred position where he can be at his absolute best.
Chelsea fans, we want to hear from you, what do you make of this move? Would you like to see the two Italians link up at Stamford Bridge? Let us know in the comments below…
