When Antonio Conte stepped foot in Stamford Bridge, there were two things you could guarantee. Firstly, that they would become a lot more defensively sound. And secondly that there would be many imports from Serie A. And the next player from Italy that Chelsea look to be targeting is Italian youngster Federico Bernardeschi.
The Fiorentina player has had an impressive few seasons amidst numerous changes to his role, and it is unclear whether Conte has him in mind for one in particular or because of his versatility.
Bernardeschi started life as a number 10, but perhaps a victim of his own tactical awareness, hard work, and willingness to play, he has seen him drafted into whichever position his manager wants. And although he likely prefers the attacking midfield position, it is out wide that he has particularly flourished, both as a right winger or a wing back. He has that knack of knowing when to take his opponent on and when to play it safe, as well as possessing a tremendous work rate.
Fiorentina Head Coach Paulo Sousa is clearly a big fan of Bernardeschi’s flexibility and commitment. “He is a player who has a strong desire to help the team, the city and himself,” he told reporters, before adding: “When a player has this attitude, the coach has the ability to change tactics… Not everyone has this open-mindedness.”
With this in mind, and although Victor Moses has performed well, you would think that Bernardeschi is being targeted primarily for his ability as a right wing back. And it was actually this role that saw Barcelona take up an interest in him as the replacement of Dani Alvez.
Modern day football shows perhaps the importance of tactical ability over technical proficiency, and whilst Bernardeschi is actually a good footballer, it is his attitude and willingness to work hard for his team that makes him most valuable as a footballer.
As seen by Chelsea recruiting from Fiorentina once already for the left wing-back role, this is a specialist position that requires a great mix of attributes, as well as tactical awareness. And Conte obviously rates the job that the Fiorentina Head Coach has done when it comes to educating his players.
Most tellingly, it was Antonio Conte that gave Bernardeschi his first call-up for the international team in March 2016, eventually naming him in his 23 man Euro 2016 squad given how impressed he was with the versatile Italians attributes.
Conte has already shown at Chelsea that he is a very tactically astute and flexible manager, and should he be successful in attracting Bernardeschi to West London, he has a player that can carry out a wide range of instructions to the letter.