Chelsea boss Antonio Conte was asked about the Nemanja Matic sale as the Premier League launched its 2017/18 campaign on Wednesday.
Amidst some rather puzzling transfer activity from Chelsea this summer, the deal that caused the most head-scratching was the one concerning Nemanja Matic. The fact that the Serbian was sold was not the confusing bit, but that he was sold to Manchester United caused some discussion. Antonio Conte was pressed about the transfer on Wednesday morning at the Premier League launch.
"Matic knows very well what I think about him…I think he is a very strong player, very important for our team. But sometimes I think you must accept this crazy transfer market and accept different decisions. I repeat, for sure, that this is a great loss for us. – via Sky Sports"
WATCH: Antonio Conte discusses the sale of Nemanja Matić. Watch the #PLKickOff here: https://t.co/0ZJRzpN6Nu https://t.co/6f0pJlZ379
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 9, 2017
That response from the boss indicates that the decision to sell Matic was taken by those above him. With United offering around £40 million for his services, the club chose to take the money rather than keep the player.
Matic had disappointed last season and many Blues fans were hoping that the club would cash in. So from that point of view, the deal was worth making.
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However, Chelsea have sent a quality midfielder to a direct rival. Jose Mourinho’s team will not only be competing with the Blues in the Premier League, but also in the Champions League. Matic’s arrival only strengthens the squad and frees up Paul Pogba. His performances in pre-season and during Tuesday night’s European Super Cup suggest that the Serbian is slotting in nicely.
Arsenal have been one of the clubs that have sold to domestic rivals and they have paid the consequences. The Blues may do likewise this season.
What’s interesting about the quotes is how much Conte emphasises his admiration for Matic. It seems that he was not a player the boss wanted to let go. However, the deal was deemed too good to be passed upon.
Chelsea have since failed to appropriately replace the number of midfield departures, leaving them in a pickle days away from the season’s start. Cesc Fabregas, N’Golo Kante and the injured Tiemoue Bakayoko are the club’s sole first-team central midfielders. The Blues may need to panic buy to fill out a thin squad.
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What do you think of these latest comments? Did the board take the decision on behalf of Conte? Or is the manager just trying to say all the right things to preserve a personal relationship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!