Go For It Conte – This Monaco Ace Be Able To Replace Chelsea’s Midfield Maestro Without Breaking A Sweat

Tiemoue Bakayoko Can Replace Nemanja Matic At Chelsea But Not In His First Season – Here’s Why

Antonio Conte has some serious plans for his title-winning Chelsea side this summer as he looks to improve on his side’s tremendous campaign. He has been looking for some of the most exciting players in Europe and has been constantly linked with AS Monaco’s midfielder enforcer Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The French international was in superb form for French champions Monaco side and is on the radar of a number of high-profile clubs this summer. Chelsea have been monitoring his situation for quite a while now and if reports today are to be believed, they may just push forward their attempts to sign the 22-year old.

According to M.E.N, Jose Mourinho is now looking to sign Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic to shore up his midfield. The Serbian had an eventful time in his second stint at the club and has won two titles in his time at the Bridge. However, he is expected to fall down the pecking order if Conte spends on a new midfielder and this might push him out of the club.

So can Chelsea replace Matic with Bakayoko? Matic is an experienced player who has played in more than two different leagues. He is now accustomed to the English league and would improve even the best sides in the country. Chelsea have used N’Golo Kante alongside him to great effect this season as the Frenchman was able to roam around, thanks to Matic’s ability to provide cover for the back-4.

Bakayoko, on the other hand, has exposure at the highest level but is still 22. He has never played outside his home country but has showed great promise with his performances in Ligue1. He is a similar minded player, happy to sit back and soak up the pressure but he is more adventurous than Matic and this might be something Conte might want to avoid.

Matic is capable of providing that defence breaking pass or a breathtaking goal but he is not as effective Bakayoko while going forward. However, he does have a slight edge over the French star in terms of the ability to read the game and Chelsea might take time to turn Bakayoko into a regular starter.

He has some undoubted ability and can surely turn into a superstar in the future but Conte needs to keep the core of his side intact and losing the 28-year old Matic just a season after taking charge could be disastrous. Bakayoko can replace him, but it is highly doubtful if he can do so in his first season in England.