Chelsea are yet to agree on a new deal with Nemanja Matic and the midfielder might make a move in the summer. He has helped the team lift the Premier League title this season but there is confusion regarding his role at the club. Antonio Conte is expected to import a midfielder to boost his chances and the Serb could be left rattling on the bench.
There have been interests from Manchester United as Jose Mourinho will not rule out a move for one of his trusted aides. The Portuguese gaffer has primarily targeted Tottenham Hotspur’s Eric Dier but to negotiate a deal with Spurs’ chairman Daniel Levy seems to be an outrageous effort which they don’t want to face.
Mourinho definitely wants a dynamic presence and will look to add some steel to his midfield. Michael Carrick did extend his contract with the club but the midfielder is expected to be a part-time player next season.
Matic’s participation in the middle of the pitch has been the peripheral factor behind Chelsea’s astounding season. Antonio Conte decided to put his money on the Serbian midfielder and he didn’t disappoint his manager as he founded an indomitable partnership with N’Golo Kante. His physical presence in the midfield gave them a certain assurance and he has also scored a number of long-rangers including the brilliant goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semifinal which sealed the tie.
Matic is not sure of a starting place in the next season as Chelsea are expected to bring Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco. The French midfielder had a brilliant season and is set to be the first signing for Antonio Conte. Matic does have the ability to dictate the play from deep and his excellent vision of the game does give him an edge over the other midfielders in the Premier League.
A bid in the range of £40-45m might tempt the Blues to sell one of their best midfielders but the idea of letting him move to a direct rival might strike Conte.
Also, Chelsea just had a successful stint after their slump in the last season. The Blues recovered brilliantly from their disastrous 2015-16 campaign and Matic should be given credits for the smooth sailing. The Blues will be fighting on all four fronts next season and they need adequate reinforcements in every section to compete with the best next season.
