Its just 2 weeks before the new campaign starts and after a disappointing 10th place finish in the Premier League last season, Chelsea fans must be hoping that their new manager Antonio Conte brings Chelsea back on track. Conte took over as Chelsea’s manager at the end of the European Championships and has completed 2 major signings so far, Mitchy Batshuayi and N’Golo Kante. Both the new signings will get into the starting eleven straightaway and will play a major role. Other than the new signings, some of the established stars like Fabregas, Hazard, Willian will be expected to give their best in Conte’s first season at Chelsea. All players need to be in good form if Chelsea want to compete for the title next season but two players will have increased responsibilities. They will be the key men in Chelsea’s title challenge next season. Here are the two players and the reasons why they will be vital next season.
1.) Cesc Fabregas
The Spaniard will be a key figure in Chelsea’s squad next season. During Chelsea’s title winning 2014/15 campaign, he was a stalwart in the centre of the park as his passing and understanding of the game created wonders for Chelsea. He had registered a staggering 18 assists that campaign and was the best central midfielder. Fabregas was paired alongside Nemanja Matic last season but next season, Matic will be replaced by N’Golo Kante. Kante was phenomenal for Leicester last season. At Chelsea, Kante will be expected to perform just like he did for Leicester last season and provide good support to Fabregas. Conte’s preferred formation is 4-2-4 and the 2 in the central midfield have to work very hard in this formation. The two players need to have a good understanding of each other’s style of play to perform well in this formation and Fabregas’ experience will come in handy. He is a proven performer in the Premier League and Kante will learn a lot from the Spaniard. And if Kante ans Fabregas stitch a strong partnership, Chelsea will have one of the strongest central midfield in the league. Fabregas will surely be a key player next season for Chelsea.
2.) Michy Batshuayi
Batshuayi was signed for almost 34 million pounds from Marseille and that price tag has increased expectations on him. The Belgian scored more than 20 goals last season in the Frnech league and was the best striker in France. His performances drew attention from Europe’s top clubs and Chelsea signed him. Diego Costa has been Chelsea’s first choice forward for two seasons. But now it seems that Chelsea will be parting ways with the aggressive Spanish forward as he has been heavily linked with a move to his former employees Atletico Madrid. The move seems imminent and that will leave Chelsea with only one proper striker and that is Batshuayi. In his first season at Chelsea, Conte will need an in-form striker before anything else. Batshuayi is in good form and being the only striker will make him a very vital player in the squad. Also, the 34 million price tag adds to the pressure that the young forward already has. Chelsea will need goals and Batshuayi can bring them, in a big number. So Batshuayi will be a very important player next season for Chelsea.