Antonio Conte linked with blockbuster Chelsea return
Over the last few days, reports have emerged suggesting that Chelsea want to bring in a proven manager to take charge of their struggling team. That makes sense considering how badly their experimental choices have flopped since sacking Thomas Tuchel. Enzo Maresca was the only one who worked out, while Mauricio Pochettino had a mediocre run that was probably cut short too early. The less said about Graham Potter and Liam Rosenior’s run at Stamford Bridge, the better.
Some reports have linked Frank Lampard with a potential return after his fantastic run with Coventry City. That rumour was inevitable. The one most of us would have seen coming is the one involving Antonio Conte.
When you look at Conte, he looks like the last manager that BlueCo would want. The Italian has very clear ideas and would not be expected to work under a rigid structure provide to him by the club, where he has little say on matters beyond the pitch.
That has not stopped rumours from cropping up in Italy. According to Calciomercato.it, Chelsea are even thinking about the return of Conte. He has a contract with Napoli until June 30, 2027. The FIGC also likes him for the role of the Italian national team coach. But the Blues want to try at all costs.
Conte linked with blockbuster return to Chelsea
To be honest, it does not feel like there is a good chance that we will see Conte back at Chelsea. It would take a monumental change in the behind-the-scenes structure of BlueCo if they want the Italian to take the job.
That being said, if they want a manager to turn the club into Premier League contenders again, there are few better options than Conte.
Of course, Conte won the Premier League and the FA Cup during his time at Chelsea. But in many ways, that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Conte might not be the right fit these days
In Italy, Conte has won league titles for fun. He has won the Serie A with Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli. He also won the Serie B with Bari during his early managerial career.
So, it is not hard to see Conte’s qualities. He is a phenomenal coach. But would he fit the current squad? The team led by John Terry seemed to struggle with the work he was putting his team through during his time at Stamford Bridge. That was a decade ago. How would this crop of players respond, after being overrun by every Premier League side they have faced this season so far?
Then there are the issues that BlueCo often seem to have with their managers. It happened with Thomas Tuchel as well as Enzo Maresca. Why did Mauricio Pochettino leave after just one season? Would Conte want to work in this environment? And if he did, would the club be best-placed to succeed with a manager like him?
Sourav Mahanty has covered teams like Chelsea, Celtic, Real Madrid, Manchester United, PSG and more over a career that has now lasted a decade.
His work has been featured on Sports Illustrated, Athlon Sports, SB Nation, FanSided, The Sportster and aggregated through Bleacher Report and NewsNow.
Outside of football, he is also interested in basketball, cricket and professional wrestling.
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