Nemanja Matic has had enough of life at Chelsea
Chelsea may have cruised to a relatively easy Premier League title win last year, but not all of Antonio Conte’s troops are ready to give him another season. Starting midfielder Nemanja Matic is desperate to find another club during the summer transfer window.
In fairness to the Blues, it’s not as if they’re desperate to keep him. Reports from England claim they’re willing to ship him to Old Trafford if Jose Mourinho’s club are willing to stump a transfer fee of £50 million. Such a move would reunite Matic and his former Chelsea boss.
Matic’s desire to leave is motivated largely by his concern about playing time next season. Conte went out into the transfer market and purchased Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. He figures to partner with N’Golo Kante in the middle of Conte’s formations next season. At just 28 years of age Matic isn’t willing to quietly transition to a bench role for the Premier League giants.
The real question now becomes whether or not Manchester United are willing to meet Chelsea’s demands. United have already lodged a £35 million bid for the stately midfielder, but it’s unclear how far they’re willing to go. The extra £15 million may cause Mourinho and company to look elsewhere for a younger, more dynamic replacement.
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I still believe it would be in Conte’s best interest to keep Matic around. The Blues are going to be working hard to compete in Europe next season so he’ll need a bigger squad. Having a player of Matic’s quality to rotate with Kante and Bakayoko would be hugely advantageous for the Italian gaffer.
Conte, undoubtedly, feels like he can find a superior replacement in the transfer window if need be. Roman Abramovich has provided the former Juventus boss with a massive transfer budget. In the event that Matic is sold, Conte would certainly be permitted to at least reinvest his transfer fee to procure a replacement.
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Nemanja Matic has been at Chelsea for the majority of his professional career, but he may soon go the way of Juan Mata. The Blues midfielder is serious about leaving Stamford Bridge and Manchester United are the most interested suitor. Seeing Matic suit up in something other than Chelsea blue will be shocking indeed.