Antonio Conte is the latest to take his turn in the Chelsea transfer rumour mill, amid reports of interest from Inter Milan. Yes, it’s come to this.
While Jose Mourinho lives in a hotel and Diego Costa complains about the weather, Antonio Conte seems quite well-adjusted to life in London. His family remained in Italy for his first season with Chelsea while his daughter finishes school, but they are soon to join him in London. Obviously, he is also doing quite well in his post at Chelsea.
All that, though, is not enough to keep Conte out of the rumour mill that ensnares many of his players. The latest “reporting” holds that Inter Milan will offer Conte a significant wage increase and a massive transfer purse to return to his native land.
Chelsea are understandably unfazed by the latest rumours. They would likely not be any more worried if Inter tendered an offer. Conte has built robust relationships with the players, owners, club staff and fans in his short time. More than that, he would have little interest in returning to a league that he bested for so long when he is only beginning to make his mark in the Premier League.
"I don’t think AC has any interest in leaving, partially because he enjoys testing himself against Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp. The Premier League is the best test of managerial skill in Europe. Antonio Conte is there for that more than anything else. – Barrett Rouen, The Blue Lions"
Inter Milan’s ownership group are determined to restore the club to the top of European football. Inter won a treble of Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia in 2010. Since then they have only won a domestic cup. The club have the same owners as Shanghai SIPG, who bought Oscar from Chelsea for £60 million. They are not afraid to spend, and may think that Roman Abramovich is gullibly susceptible to high-eight figure offers.
Abramovich, obviously, has plenty of money of his own to spend in his pursuit of more titles. Chelsea will almost certainly extend and enhance Conte’s contract at the end of the season, particularly if Chelsea win the league.
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If Inter truly are considering a swoop for Antonio Conte, that is just one more testament to what he has accomplished in his first season at Chelsea. On the off chance he pays any attention to such rumours he may be a bit flattered. Then he will chuckle softly to himself and go back to building a dynasty at Stamford Bridge.