After an underwhelming performance on Friday night, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has now been prodded into action. According to reports in the British newspapers such as the Express and Sun, it has now been reported that the Chelsea owner held meetings lasting late into the night on Saturday.
The Russian billionaire, who has a reputation for keeping managers on a short leash, apparently held talks with the club executives and expressed his “concerns” regarding the recent performances. Antonio Conte who was appointed only this summer will certainly feel the pressure given this recent development of “crisis talks”.
Conte who inherited the squad from predecessor Guus Hiddink, who had walked in after Mourinho was sacked mid-way into the season, has been less than impressed with some of the members in the squad.
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The Italian has already expressed his concern about the squad and has made it clear that the squad needs major reinforcements. Over the summer, Conte’s pursuit of certain targets didn’t yield the desired results and as result the Chelsea Board is willing to give funds to the Italian in the January window to strengthen the squad.
Abramovich, who invested in the squad in the summer by bringing in players worth £117 million in the summer, believes that should have garnered a better display against the visiting Liverpool on Friday night.
While there has been no statement in the media by the Russian owner, it is obviously an incident of note and should put the players and the manager on alert. Conte, spoke of patience and time being a consideration when he took over at Stamford Bridge this summer. While the defeat on Friday was the first league defeat this season, it was the manner of the defeat which has led to the owner being concerned.
After a season, in which Abramovich saw his Chelsea side finish tenth, the worst performance since he bought the club, his anxiety is understandable at the recent abject performance.
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However, Conte will have the opportunity to put things right in the mid-week EFL cup tie at Leicester City’s, King Power stadium, where he will give an opportunity to squad players such as Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Victor Moses, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Asmir Begovic, and Michy Batshuayi.
The Italian will hope that his side will recapture the early season form and ease some of the tension. N’Golo Kante who switched sides to move to Chelsea this summer will hope to get a warm welcome at Leicester, given his contributions to the title-winning team last season.
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