Antonio Conte looks to be arriving soon for the Chelsea job and the footballing world are breaking their head about who the Italian would be getting along with him to Stamford Bridge. Conte looks to a challenging task up ahead of him and is expected to take Chelsea back to the top of the EPL. For that he will need to make new additions to the current Chelsea team and would be intensely monitoring the transfer market. Let us have a look at a best Chelsea XI that we might see in the EPL next season if Conte and Chelsea can land up all their summer targets.
GOALKEEPER
Thibaut Courtois
One of the best goalkeepers in the world. The Belgian still hasn’t had a stellar of a season though. His performances against Manchester United was arguably his best of the season. He is yet to produce the form he had shown at Atletico Madrid and next season maybe the time when he does that. Conte would be looking to keep the tall and talented Belgian in between the posts.
DEFENDERS
Cesar Azpilicueta
The left back has had a mixed season this year. In some matches he was seen tearing down the left flank of opponents and in some matches he looked defensively very weak and creatively very average. He is still a genuine talent and many are still expecting to emulate his form that he had particularly shown in the last season. Conte would be looking to get the Spaniard back to his best
John Stones
Well there is no doubt that Chelsea want Stones. The only question that prevails is that if they will actually get the man in the coming transfer window. Stones is widely tipped to replace to John Terry and become a future leader for club and country. With Manchester United also after Stones, Conte will have to act quickly and secure the young defender’s service.
Kurt Zouma
The Frenchman was having a strong season. He seemed to be the only defensive pillar of Chelsea this season. But then he suffered the horrible injury and got side-lined for the entire season. We all are hoping that the young centre back makes a strong comeback and rules the centre back position for Chelsea again.
Gregory van der Wiel
The right back position seems to be one of the weakest places for Chelsea this season. The performances of Ivanovic has been below average for most part of the season. Conte has always been a fan of hard working defenders and in Van der Wiel he gets a workhorse of a defender. The Dutchman is out of contract at the end of the current season and Conte can just get the experienced right back for nothing.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS
Nemanja Matic
The Serbian hasn’t had a brilliant season this year. Much was expected from him after the stellar season he had last year. However, his performances have picked up in the second part of the season and he is slowly working towards his best. On his day, he is absolute beast of a central defensive midfielder and Conte would be looking to get the Serbian to his best.
Cesc Fabregas
He had a below average first half of the season and is having a good second half. Since the arrival of Hiddink, Fabregas has looked rejuvenated and produced a string of good performances. He is also a central member of Del Bosque’s Spain side. Conte would be looking to utilise the services of the experienced Spaniard.
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Eden Hazard
Even though the Belgian is having a very average season, he is still tipped to be one of the best talents in the world. The likes of Real Madrid are supposedly after the young attacker. It will be interesting to see if Conte lets him leave, but if he doesn’t then he will surely get in to the Italian’s starting 11. Once the Belgian strikes form, he looks almost unstoppable.
Paul Pogba
A lot of rumours are surfacing about him making a comeback to EPL. Conte is a huge admirer of the Frenchman and he was the one who offered Pogba a fresh life at Juventus. Pogba is one of the most sought after talent in world football right now. The midfielder can play in a multiple of positions all over the field. There seems to be a high possibility of Conte signing Pogba and if he does it would be a treat to watch the Frenchman back in the EPL.
Willian
Chelsea’s best player this season. In most of the matches, he has looked to be the only player who gave his 100%. The Brazilian has looked very matured with his performances. At times he was seen trying to motivate the whole team and lead them. The Brazilian has raved in good comments from most Pundits this season and Conte would be delighted to work with the talented midfielder.
STRIKER
Antoine Griezmann
The Frenchman has been in sublime form this season and has scored 22 goals. He is quick on the ball, is always in the right place to receive a pass and always looks to finish passes effectively. Chelsea have been long linked with the attacker and it would be interesting to see if they finally secure his services. Even though Diego Costa looks to have regained his form, his on field antics and also his love affair with injury is something that the Club looks to have become tired with. Greizmann looks to be a good replacement. Even if Conte decides to play with two strikers up front like he normally prefers, Greizmann would make a good partner for Costa.