Could Chelsea lose key personnel in the summer?

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is being linked with a summer return to his homeland with Inter

Everything seems rosy at Chelsea at the moment. The Blues are top of the Premier League table and ten points clear of their nearest rivals, having also made it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

It seems that the Blues are set for a bright future under boss Antonio Conte.

However, reports from Italian publication Tuttosport claim that the former Juventus boss could quit the Blues to return to his homeland to manage cash-flushed Inter in the summer.

Terrible news for Chelsea

Losing Conte this summer would be a hammer blow to the Blues. The 47-year-old has revived a team that finished in midtable last season by making just a few key signings and tweaking the team slightly.

The former Juventus boss has proven his class, both on and off the pitch in his spell at Stamford Bridge. Unlike, Chelsea bosses of the past (Jose I am looking at you) Conte has even endeared himself to opposition fans.

He comes across as a nice, humble and intelligent guy. As football managers go he comes across as a general all round good guy. This is his first season in English football, but maybe he is homesick and wishes to return to his homeland.

Chelsea finding a replacement for the Italian would be close to impossible. Hopefully, for Chelsea’s sake, it is just rumour and speculation.

Players linked with moving on

To dampen the Chelsea high spirits even further the Guardian claim that Real Madrid are targeting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and playmaker Eden Hazard for summer moves. Courtois is, of course, familiar with Spain, and Madrid in particular, having spent time on loan in the Spanish capital with Real’s arch-rivals Atletico.

The Belgium international is regarded as one of the best ‘keepers in the world. He has recently stated that he does not see himself leaving the Blues in the near future. However, this is Real Madrid and they do not give up easily.

The Guardian report suggests that Real Madrid have already made contact with Hazard’s representatives over a potential deal for the playmaker.

Hazard has hit form this season, having contributed 11 goals and four assists in the Premier League. His return to form after a barren season has been one of the keys to the Blues revival this season. No doubt he is a key player at Stamford Bridge.

Hazard has been linked with a move to Real Madrid on a number of occasions in the past. The Belgian would have major competition to get into the European champions starting line-up if he did move. Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo currently occupy the three attacking roles in the team.

That is not forgetting the likes of Isco, Alvaro Morata, James Rodriguez and Lucas Vasquez, although the former three have been heavily linked with summer moves away from Real.

Could just be media speculation

Chelsea are not regarded as the most likeable of clubs, mainly because some people see them as a club that bought success. However, Conte’s arrival may have just swayed public opinion slightly.

Conte has brought a certain style and panache to the club. The most important factor he has brought to the club is the fact that the team are winning games once again. It looks like you may well even win the title in his first season in charge, with the Blues now odds of 1/25 to win the league this season.

He has out-thought the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp, all considered amongst the world’s top football bosses. Conte proved with Juventus and the Italian national side just how good a boss he is. He has only enhanced his reputation during his stint at Chelsea.

Conte always comes across as an emotional guy, so a return to his homeland would not be completely unthinkable. However, I do believe Conte will stay and look to move the club forward.

The speculation about Hazard and Courtois has now become an annual event. Hazard is current in the midst of contract talks, while Courtois seems settled in south west London.

For me, this story could be some unknown person with their own agenda attempting to unsettled the Premier League leaders. If not, then Chelsea would certainly be far weaker without their boss and two of their star players next season.

Could Chelsea lose key personnel in the summer?