Our Chelsea fans here in the Transfer Tavern are waiting on what will happen to fan favourite Antonio Conte in the summer, after a dreadful 2018 so far.

Chelsea have been in decline for the majority of the year, and following two awful transfer windows, it’s certainly piled the pressure further on the Italian boss. One of the main problem areas for the Blues according to our regulars in the bar this season is the midfield as a spate of injuries and suspensions has often seen them with a threadbare squad.

Our Blues in the bar are looking at the remaining few months of the season as a chance for some players to really stake their claim as to why they should be at the club next season and give Abramovich no choice but to keep Conte on. However, their first priority should be getting back into the top-four for Champions League qualification, with their recent form since the turn of the year being very poor, this seems like an uphill task at the moment.

As much as many of our west London locals want him to stay, it seems like their fiery Italian coach will be heading for the exit doors at the end of the campaign. With that in mind, our landlord takes a look at TWO players who have surely helped build the pressure on Conte’s future at the club…

Tiemoue Bakayoko

The summer signing hasn’t impressed the majority of the locals in the bar this season, and many believe there are better options out there within the squad. Some would argue that it takes some players a good year to adjust to the rigours of Premier League life and maybe next season he could come good.

However, Chelsea can’t afford to gamble on a player for another year, when instant success has been their game for years. Indeed, after the state of his last few performances, the punters propping up our bar don’t seem too convinced he’ll ever improve.

David Luiz

The Brazilian has been in Conte’s bad books since they had a falling out in the first half of the season it seems. Luiz second spell at Stamford Bridge hasn’t been a pleasant one recently, despite winning the title last year and completing his collection with the club. With the arrival of another defender, this would surely signal the end of Luiz’s time at the Bridge.

With relations strained, there doesn’t seem a way back for the Brazilian and less chance of him helping Conte to keep his job.