After being a long-term admirer of the Senegal forward Keita Balde, Chelsea are finally making a move for the hugely talented young winger, according to reports. The Barcelona youth product has been one of Chelsea’s top transfer targets for long now with the Blues keeping tabs on his progress, and now with a sudden rift between the club and the player, Conte is timing his move to perfection.
According to news agencies in Italy, Chelsea would face stiff competition with Manchester United in landing the 21-year-old at Stamford Bridge. Keita joined the Lazio Under-19s in 2011 and broke into the first team of the Italian side in 2013 and has been one of their important players.
However, he has had a controversial start to the current season with Lazio, after his request to leave the club in summer wasn’t allowed. He refused to turn up to pre-season training following a disagreement with Lazio’s hierarchy and hit out at the club via Twitter.
He stated, “Lazio friends, I have decided, in agreement with the club, to postpone my departure for the pre-season training camp… I love and respect this shirt, but I can no longer accept the way they’re treating me. Things have been promised but never delivered, postponed deadlines, changed programs. I’ve spoken several times with the President [Claudio Lotito] and the [sporting] director [Igli Tare], I’ve given my point of view but no-one cares.”
Keita is currently away on his national duties at African Cup of Nations and his departure from the club looks more or less imminent. A left winger by nature, Conte is definitely looking at a long-term replacement for Hazard if he is willing to bring in Keita.
There have been no doubts about the talent of the forward who is capable of playing as a central or wide attacking forward and is a tremendous utility player for his team. This season, he has managed five goals and three assists in 16 appearances.
At 184cm, Keita sure has the physical attributes to dominate the Premier League and his exceptional dribbling skills make him a prized asset for any side. Although he is equally adept in both feet, he is often seen cutting inside to create dangerous chances from his right. A big threat from indirect set-pieces, Keita could flourish into a devastating forward if nurtured by Conte.
Chelsea lack backup to their brilliant first-team squad and Conte would hardly get a better option than Keita in Hazard’s position. His introduction from the bench could change the tempo of the game in a flash and Conte could see him as a difference-maker in big games.
