Carlo Ancelotti’s talks with Italy strengthen Antonio Conte’s place at Chelsea
By George Perry
Carlo Ancelotti is moving closer to taking over Italy’s national team. This further constricts the supply of available managers – especially for Arsenal – which strengthens Antonio Conte’s chances of staying at Chelsea.
When the Premier League welcomed the class of super-managers a few seasons ago, there was excitement but little drama. Everyone knew where Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte, Jurgen Klopp and Jose Mourinho were headed. This summer, on the other hand, is shaping up with more drama in the manager market than the transfer market.
Carlo Ancelotti was a remote possibility to return to Chelsea this summer, but he still appeared in many conversations. He was much more likely to take over for Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. His playing style, personality and the obvious fact that he had not previously been sacked by Arsenal all made the Emirates a better destination. However, Ancelotti and Italy are supposedly deep into negotiations for him to manage the Azzurri’s resurrection.
Ancelotti is the second top Arsenal prospect to come off the market in the last month. Thomas Tuchel is just about a signature away from becoming Paris Saint-Germain’s next manager. This increases the urgency of Arsenal’s pursuit of AS Monaco’s Leonardo Jardim.
Leonardo Jardim was the one candidate with equal amounts on offer for both Chelsea and Arsenal. He has the flowing style of play Arsenal fans demand and players expect, with a similar interest in player development. He would not demand an infusion of expensive transfers – a perk for both clubs.
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From Chelsea’s perspective, Jardim offered a vision and style sufficiently different to signal a break from the past, but not so different as to require a squad overhaul and long learning curve. Jardim could instill his style of play with the current lineup. He would not need any high-profile transfers in his first year to make it work, nor would he marginalize any of Chelsea’s leaders. Jardim could also help the Blues make good on their young players, particularly Tiemoue Bakayoko, whom Jardim developed into a star at Monaco. And unlike managers like Julian Nagelsmann or Ralph Hasenhuttl, Chelsea would not need a transition manager before being ready for Leonardo Jardim.
With Arsene Wenger officially out and Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti almost taken, Arsenal must move fast to lock down Leonardo Jardim if they hope to sign him. With these three off the market, Chelsea are down to distant, expensive or risky prospects if they sack Conte. Considering those prospects would also cost the £9 million pay-out to Conte and restart the building cycle, keeping Conte is increasingly the safe, cheap and easy option. And that’s before we even get into the footballing case for him.
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More and more signs point to Antonio Conte at least finishing his contract at Stamford Bridge. This is by far the best solution for Chelsea. If only they undertook it upon their own accord, rather than having outside events force them to it.