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5 reasons Chelsea can conquer Europe

By Phillip Walton

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Diego Costa (2nd R) of Chelsea celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team-mates during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on January 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 22: Diego Costa (2nd R) of Chelsea celebrates scoring the opening goal with his team-mates during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Hull City at Stamford Bridge on January 22, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /
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WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: Chelsea player John Terry reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux on February 18, 2017 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 18: Chelsea player John Terry reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Chelsea at Molineux on February 18, 2017 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

1. Replace John Terry

Hovering above Stamford Bridge the home of Chelsea FC, stripped out in full kit, a big S tattooed on his chest is Captain Chelsea – John Terry. The dominate striding spectre of a past John Terry could well be the reason that Chelsea may struggle in continental competition next season. Time waits for no man and even though injury has restricted the inspirational leader on the field this season. The potential that he will remain fit next season may lure manager Antonio Conte to ignore a chink in the Chelsea armour, the centre of defence and reinforce his side in other key positions. Like Steve Gerrard before him John Terry may just prove irreplaceable for the side he has represented since a youth team player and nobody could argue at his inspirational leadership and organisational qualities but Conte must at some point cut the cord on the club captain and we may reach this point in the Summer.

If he is to be replaced Chelsea must purchase a top quality defender. The Champions League competition evolves every season and formation and player flexibility will be key. With forgotten man Kurt Zouma on the peripheral of the playing staff the squad does not contain a centre back with lighting pace a man who can keep up with the most stealthily of forwards. The fear of the Chelsea centre back’s of Manchester United’s Marcos Rashford in a recent Emirates FA cup game was plain for all to see.

A rocky start, underpinned by defensive fragility was the key reason that tactician Conte has resorted back to a familiar formation (from 4-4-2 to employing wing-backs) that his provided the Italian his best career results at both Juventus and the Italian national side. The work conducted on the training ground in shape and defensive structure has arguably been Conte’s best work.

It’s imperative that Conte bolsters his defensive ranks this Summer, Juventus stalwart Leonardo Bonucci, a long-term favourite of Conte’s has long been linked with a move to the London-based side. At 29 he would seem a perfect fit for both formations that Conte likes to employ and he would certainly be an outstanding candidate to replace Terry as the captain. Purchasing another top-quality defender would also allow Chelsea to release their bright Spanish full back Cesar Azpilicueta from his punishing centre back duties into a flying wing back – a tailor-made position for the swift-footed defender.

Conte may look to the future, Inigo Martinez and Aymeric Laporte could both fit the bill. Martinez of Real Sociedad has appeared on the shopping list of both Manchester United and Real Madrid who see Martinez as the long-term replacement for Pepe. The impressive Frenchman Aymeric Laporte has recently been in an International tug of war between France and Spain and has had his development heavily tracked by FC Barcelona. As Roman Abramovich looks to reduce investment the £55 million transfer release cause may prove to be the biggest stumbling block in recruiting the technically gifted centre half.

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