Chelsea Uncovered: 4 things Antonio Conte must do to avoid being sacked like Jose Mourinho
ANTONIO CONTE is already under pressure at Chelsea after launching their title defence with defeat - here Steve Kemp looks at four things the Italian must do to avoid ending up sacked like Jose Mourinho.
Antonio Conte has seen Chelsea lose to Burnley and Arsenal this season
1) Solve the Costa problem
There’s a dark cloud hanging over Stamford Bridge and it is Diego Costa’s ghost. Following his reveal-all interview at the weekend the situation needs to be resolved sooner rather than later for Conte and Chelsea.
A Conte text message is responsible for ending the 28-year-old Brazilian’s Chelsea career, despite scoring 20 league goals in two of his three seasons in England.
Although the first week of fixtures have been completed, Costa remains in his Brazilian hometown, out of favour and out of fitness, with the only interest in his signature coming from Atletico Madrid who are under a transfer ban until January.
There appears to be no way back for Costa under Conte, who has amassed £300,000 worth of fines for his absence, but his future needs to be resolved.
The club have now demanded he returns, to get fit and in contention for a place, however a loan deal looks the best solution.
PA
Antonio Conte was furious with Chelsea's 3-2 defeat to Burnley
2) Add some squad depth
With Tiemoue Bakayoko, Eden Hazard and Pedro all currently missing with injuries, and Cesc Fabregas and Gary Cahill suspended, Chelsea are looking short of options especially in midfield.
All five would be in contention for a start, with players such as Jeremie Boga having to be thrown into the first team against Burnley.
Last season, Chelsea were able to keep a stable first 11 for the majority of games, but now Conte is struggling to put out a side he feels acceptable.
Problems between Conte and director Marina Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emanalo mean targets have not been secured, with it levied that Granovskaia is more interested in bringing money in than strengthening the team.
Matches will come thick and fast, and Conte will need to have confidence in his side to achieve their goals this season - he must get signings between now and the 11pm transfer deadline on August 31.
3) Press in the wide areas
Twice Chelsea were undone by crosses against Burnley, with Sam Vokes benefitting to score a brace.
Last season against Tottenham, Dele Ali scored twice from Christian Eriksen crosses in a 2-0 win at White Hart Lane.
In the 3-4-3 formation, when the wing backs are overloaded, opposition teams have found lots of time and space in the wide areas with Chelsea looking vulnerable against far post crosses.
The two midfielders have to cover a lot of ground and will have their work cut out against Spurs this weekend - David Luiz could come in with Fabregas suspended.
Conte would do well to give Kante a bit of extra support to ensure they cover the width of the pitch defensively, perhaps by slightly amending his formation.
Rory Smith: Conte feels two or three years as manager is enough
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4) Start Alvaro Morata
A fine end to the season started poorly for forward Michy Batshuayi, who failed to convince with his weak first touch and lack of movement.
New signing Morata impressed in his Burnley cameo with his runs and hunger to get in the box, scoring a goal and assisting David Luiz as Chelsea tried to get back in the game.
Conte has spoken of the need for Morata to adapt to his methods, but the former Real Madrid and Juventus forward led from the front on his debut and carried Chelsea back into the game.
Come Sunday, Vertonghen and Alderweireld would certainly prefer to face Batshuayi than the Spaniard.
