As the final whistle blew at Vicarage Road, Antonio Conte looked resigned to facing more uncomfortable questions about his Chelsea future. The zest that defined his first season at Stamford Bridge has been consumed in his second campaign by an air of despondent resignation. His post-match interview after the Watford loss almost seemed like a goodbye, complete with pointed jabs at both players and the club. Gone is the fire in the belly that sent the club to the Premier League title in 2017. Instead, flames are now licking around a bridge that seems ready to be burned between the Italian and his employers and players. He has spent months telling the squad they are going to struggle for a top four position and access to the Champions League, all the while questioning whether they are good enough to wear the shirt. In years gone by the strength of character within the Chelsea squad enabled the dressing room to feed off the chaos and instability that so often surrounded it. Managers didn't last long enough for true transitional periods. However, the strength of character and leaders that once galvanised the team in times of adversity has long since departed. Read the rest here: https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/news/chelsea-antonio-conte-manager-news-14264424
Saw this a day or 2 back. Common sense and realistic assessment on every level. Does RA have the sense to curb his ego, clear out the syncophants and reverse his modus operendi? Doubtful. If he doesn't, then we will be here next year writing the same stuff, and he will be short another 300mill. watching City, Utd, Liverpool and Spurs ride off into the distance.
Conte is not only blame holder. But he has 51% blame at the least. I would make him majority stake holder for this mess and he has to go!!!!
Amen to that - we are in serious need of an independent director of football not some glorified "bean-counter". As for matters on the paddock we lack leadership esp at the back, JT hasn't been replaced and in his place we've got someone doing an impression of a mannequin. The only thing that would make RA smell the coffee and an about turn would be the impending threat of championship football imo.
Watched the last couple of Barca and Bayern games. What we also lack , apart from Leadership, is defenders who can play the ball out. Barca and Bayern start loads of attacks right from the back. We don't. Signs are there though that we are learning. Christensen is starting to look for better passes and Rudiger has attack flair about him.
Have to admit that one glimmer of light during a frustrating season has been the increasing use of youngsters - it's ironic I guess that the club has reluctantly adopted this approach because of our inability to counter the financial muscle of clubs like City & PSG. Still it's a positive sign that we are starting to utilise the abundant raw talent that we have on our doorstep rather than splurging out on a number of bargain-basement drop kicks.