Antonio Conte was expected to do a lot better during his second season at Chelsea and though the side might yet finish in the top four and win the FA Cup, considering what’s transpired so far, expect the club to spend good money in the summer transfer window. Almost a year ago, the club sold two of its best players, lost out to fellow league rivals in the chase for targets and signed players that not everyone was pleased with.
You can’t rule that out from happening once again this summer as the competition for signing the best of the best is intense. With the two Manchester clubs spending a lot of money and Arsenal likely to join them as they’ll give their new manager something to spend, Chelsea will need to ensure that are at it from the word go else risk losing their targets once again.
Also read: Reports: Chelsea Set To Move For Bayern Munich Sensation
Their latest transfer target, Nabil Fekir, has been linked with a move to Liverpool as well and Chelsea can’t afford to lose the Frenchman to their rivals. Conte’s side have lacked a certain bite this season and despite creating chances, they haven’t been able to take them which is why they’ve scored just 61 goals this season, the least among the top six sides.
Nabil Fekir – Fact file
Fekir is a key contributor of goals and assists from the midfield. He has predominantly played as an attacking midfielder for Lyon this season and has scored 17 goals from the midfield. Though that number is expected to drop when he moves to the Premier League, his ability to find the back of the net will take the pressure off Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard’s shoulders.
Like Hazard, Fekir is a very tricky customer in the attacking third and is hard to stop when he makes those darting runs. He has a good burst of speed and is pretty elusive with his trickery on the ball. Along with his 17 goals, he has also mustered seven assists, so the lad can pass the ball.
How will he fit in?
Chelsea have largely relied on Cesc Fabregas’ creativity but the Spaniard’s powers are on the wane. Fekir would be a breath of fresh air and at the same time. add balance to the team. With him in the side, Conte can switch between the four at the back set up as well. In the three at the back formation, he is likely to play alongside Hazard, behind Morata in what could be a 3-4-2-1. Not bad, eh?
