Our Chelsea fans here inside the Transfer Tavern will be hoping Antonio Conte can really ramp up their season going into 2018. While things have been going fairly well of late, the punters propping up our bar were hoping they’d get a lot closer to Manchester City in the title race.
We’ve seen Chelsea have a little wobble at the beginning of the season, but in recent months they look like a team on a mission not to give up their title so easily to presumably the blue half of Manchester. Indeed, there doesn’t look like there will be a repeat of the club’s last title defence…
Conte had a horrendous summer transfer window and will be looking at not letting history repeat itself, having already captured Ross Barkley from Everton, Conte will be hoping that this is a sign of things to come.
What Chelsea have that most teams don’t though is a plethora of talent just waiting in the youth academy.
Much as been made of the loan system Chelsea use but on the odd occasion it seems to work for them, what Conte could do with doing in the tough times is leaning on his youngsters a little more. Our landlord takes a look at two players that could make the step up against Leicester…
Ruben Sammut
The Scottish born centre-back will be looking at making the step up to the first team as he is currently is a stable of the u23’s team. With doubt over David Luiz’s future, Sammut will want to impress Conte enough to stop him dipping his hand unnecessarily into the transfer market.
With his ability to grab a goal to, the defender could be the next big thing to come.
Martell Taylor-Crossdale
The 18-year-old is flying in the Premier League 2 this season, among other competitions. His goal to game ratio is brilliant and if Conte needs a back up to Alvaro Morata, this youngster could be the one.
With Chelsea’s attacking options limited, a player with this eye for goal should surely be given the chance to shine by the Italian. Along with age on his side, by throwing him into the pressure pot of the Premier League so early could reap major benefits down the line.
