For Chelsea FC Manager Antonio Conte, it’s the epitome of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” About halfway through the season, Conte looks like the Premier League Manager of the Year, with midfielder N’Golo Kante perhaps the acquisition of the year. Chelsea, fresh off seeing their 13 game winning streak snapped, remain on top of the table.
Conte hopes to preserve the status quo, and see out a January transfer window that’s essentially uneventful.
There have been two major moves so far. Midfielder John Obi Mikel joined Tianjin TEDA Friday, and Oscar moved to Shanghai SIPG in a record setting, insane amount of money deal.
The Chinese Super League is spending money like drunken sailors, and Antonio Conte hopes that this is the end of it.
“I hope this offer from China finishes with Mikel and Oscar,” Conte said yesterday.
“I think that it’s important now to remain with this squad.”
The Italian also ruled out adding reinforcements to the central defense, and area depleted by injury.
“I don’t think we need another central defender,” Conte said.
So, there won’t be much “watch this space” this January transfer period.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
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