With the January transfer window now open, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has spoken publicly about what business his club might (or might not) do this month. With a reported row between Conte and defender David Luiz, there have been a multitude of stories linking the Brazilian with a move away from Stamford Bridge this transfer period.
Luiz has been linked with several clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea’s next opponent tomorrow night. However, Antonio Conte has dismissed this idea. “David improved a lot his physical condition in the last couple of days,” Conte said Tuesday.
“He worked with us and I think he could be in contention for the Norwich game. I’m very happy to work with these players. I don’t see a problem. At the same time, I understand if some players are not playing regularly and want to leave.”
Antonio Conte also went beyond the situation of David Luiz, as he said he expects all of Chelsea’s star players to stick around this month.
“My expectation is all the players we have in the squad will stay here and continue to work. Our squad is not big and for this reason it’s impossible to send on loan or sell one player if we don’t sign another player,” he continued.
The Italian maintains that there will be no sales, unless there are first new additions. When asked about the possibility of new signings, he responded:
“My expectation can be a lot or not, but the most important thing is my opinion. I try to give my opinion to the club and then the club has to take the best decision for the team.”
“I can give my opinion but I’m only a coach. My first task is to work on the pitch with my players to improve my team. If the club decide to ask me something about my team I try to give my opinion.”
The Blues boss also does not see a high possibility of recalling any Chelsea players who are currently out on loan, stating: “I don’t think this could be realistic. The players that we send on loan, they are playing. I don’t see a possibility.”
In other words, he’s painting a picture of a very uneventful and inactive January transfer window. It all sounds rather boring, but he could just be playing it coy in public, while deals are actually being negotiated. We’ll know for sure by January 31.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud, LinkedIn and YouTube.