3) A proper box-to-box midfielder
Antonio Conte has had a long and storied managerial career. However, in each and every one of his successful sides, Conte has played with a three-man midfield. Chelsea’s current setup operates along similar lines, with Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Oscar forming the midfield engine.
However, two of the trio are completely unsuited to the manner in which Conte plays. The Italian has favoured a direct style of football, with a high-press designed to win the ball back quickly and release the ball to the wings immediately. Fabregas in particular, seems unsuited to a high-pressing game and might find himself out of favour next season.
Oscar is tactically naive as well, but if Conte deems a player sufficiently talented enough, will deploy a protective midfielder. Italian reporter Augusto de Bartolo revealed Conte’s tactics when speaking to Sky, saying “At Juventus, to protect Paul Pogba he had Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio or Arturo Vidal.”
Conte is a known admirer of Radja Nainggolan, previously attempting to lure the Belgian to Juventus. The Roma midfielder has enjoyed a wonderful season with his club, and seems tailormade to power Conte’s engine room in the box-to-box role, which can allow Oscar to thrive.
Players such as John Obi Mikel might also benefit from Conte’s positonal advice, which can result in a very strong pool of Chelsea midfielder’s next season.
