With Antonio Conte on his way to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern are expecting some major changes to the defence that conceded over 50 goals in the Premier League last season.
Since Roman Abramovich took over, Chelsea fans have come to expect two things: Trophies and clean sheets.
Jose Mourinho, a manager normally renowned for curating often in penetrable defences, saw his side leak 27 goals in just 16 games before his sacking in December.
Guus Hiddink then came in, but again his leaky defence proved to be his downfall, often falling to late scrappy equalisers.
Antonio Conte has been tasked with rebuilding the Blues, and much like Mourinho, Conte is a man known for a strong defence.
Whilst typically employing a back 5, it is likely that Conte will adopt a standard 4 at the back with Chelsea, as he looks to adjust to the style of the Premier League.
Whilst the transfer window is yet to officially open, dozens of defensive stalwarts have been linked with the Blues, and our landlord thinks a Conte Juventus favourite might just be finding his way into the Chelsea backline.
Here is the ULTIMATE Chelsea defence for next season including Lichtsteiner…..
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE ULTIMATE CHELSEA DEFENCE!
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Thibaut Courtois – Goalkeeper
Despite a shaky 2015, which culminated in a long term knee injury that would keep Courtois sidelined for over three months, 2016 gave rise to a bit of a resurgence for the young Belgian.
Whilst certainly not yet at his best, most Chelsea fans in the tavern are in agreement that there is nobody better to replace the Munich hero Petr Cech.
Constant transfer rumours will of course continue, but with the introduction of Conte, now is the time for Courtois to solidify his position between the sticks for the Blues, and perhaps pay back some of that faith that the Chelsea bosses put in him when they sold Cech to Arsenal.
Stephan Lichtsteiner – Right Back
If rumours in the Tavern are to be believed, Stephan Lichensteiner appears to be Conte’s first major signing as Blues Boss.
An offensive right full-back, Conte seemingly wants to improve the right hand side typically covered by Branislav Ivanovic that was so often targeted last year.
At the age of 32, Lichtsteiner is certainly not a youngster, and the signing certainly has the makings of a short term, immediate fix.
It seems likely that he will fit straight in to the Chelsea side, offering an attacking edge to the Chelsea backline.
John Terry – Centre Back
The 2015/16 season was a difficult one for the Blues skipper; a season marred by defensive errors and long term injury, with Chelsea bosses hesitant to offer Terry a new contract.
However, with a one year deal now under his belt, it would certainly be difficult not to back Terry to come back even stronger, as he did in the 2013/14 season after he was dropped by Rafael Benitez.
With a wealth of young talent at the Bridge, particularly with young Kurt Zouma on his way back towards the end of the year, there is nobody better to sure up the Chelsea defense and prepare the young blues for the future.
He will also offer a bridge to any new signings Chelsea bring in – with fans drawing parallels with who many expect to partner the captain in central defense.
John Stones – Center Back
Another player who had a shaky 2015/16 season, Chelsea would struggle to find a young player with as much raw talent as John Stones.
Much like Chelsea, Everton struggled at the back last season, but there is no better man to get Stones back on track than Antonio Conte.
A partnership with John Terry would also do wonders for the young defender, with Terry able to teach Stones in the same way that he was taught by Marcel Desailly as a young blue.
Cesar Azpilicueta – Left Back
Perhaps the one shining light of the Chelsea defence last season, Azpilicueta was his consistent self throughout much of the campaign, certainly earning himself a spot in this defence.
It is likely that Baba Rahman will leave the club during the summer, given that he largely failed to gain a spot in the first team last year.
As a result, it is likely that the Blues will be in for a new left sided full back – but is there anybody available that is better than the man affectionally known as Dave?
Whilst many fans would love to see the Spanish full back on the right hand side, Azpilicueta has proven that he can hold his own on the left.
Whilst he does not offer as much going forward as he would on the right, his defensive ability allows others to push forward, perhaps giving Lichsteiner more license to roam.
