Chelsea were off to a perfect start to their new Premier League campaign as Diego Costa, the Spaniard, who was reportedly unsettled at the at the start of the month, scored two winners in the first two games of the season to give Conte two victories in his first two games with the club. However, what was glaringly evident in both games was the fact that Chelsea’s defence is by no means at the level that Conte wants from his sides. The former Italian boss is the kind of a manager who emphasises defensive stability over the attacking prowess it is clear that Chelsea need to work a lot on their back line before they can be called Antonio Conte’s side.
So it does not come as a surprise that the manager is looking for defensive additions this summer with Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly high on his radar. However, Conte has not been able to agree a deal with the Italian outfit for the Senegalese international and may have now turned his attention elsewhere. According to reports in Italy, Antonio Conte is now desperate to land experienced Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini this summer. He is expected to cost around the £25m mark but is reportedly not really interested in a move away from Turin this summer. But here is why Chelsea should do everything they can to get him to the Bridge this summer.
Obviously, his time in Italy under Antonio Conte, both at Juventus and with the Italian national side make him a better option than many in the transfer market. At 32, Chiellini is one of the most experienced and established defenders in Europe. He is entering his 11th year at Juventus and has been a mainstay for the club and country for a long time now. He is a proper centre-back by trait but is more than comfortable playing as a left back while his best comes out as a part of a back three that Conte used to great effect in his time in Turin.
He is a strong centre-back who has a physical approach to the game that frustrates even the best attackers in the world. He is strong in the air and also good at reading the game on the ground as he makes a number of interceptions in dangerous areas to bail his team out even when under severe pressure. He is an excellent passer for the ball for a centre-back and with all his experience, he knows when to release the ball and when to thump it forward.
At Chelsea, Conte is currently using a 4-man defence with Gary Cahill and John Terry as the only two fit senior centre-backs in the squad. If Chiellini makes the move, he will easily take a place in the starting XI and may also have Conte shift to a 3-man defence in games to come.
At 32, Chiellini will not be able to provide Chelsea with a long-term option at the back but the fact that this is Conte’s first year in the Premier League makes the move for the Italian a must for Chelsea. Chiellini can help Conte settle into the English domestic league and will provide the experience at the back that can help them win crunch games. A defence that has the likes of John Terry and Giorgio Chiellini is easily one of the best in Europe and Conte should do everything he can to get his man this summer. Do you think Chelsea should move for the 32-year old this summer?
