Stars set to be phased out by manager
Antonio Conte is set to launch a huge defensive clearout at Chelsea following their 3-0 loss at Arsenal, with Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic set to be phased out.
The pending returns of skipper John Terry and fellow centre back Kurt Zouma from injury will provide more options for Conte in the coming weeks, after several poor performances from the Chelsea back-line, including a draw at Swansea and a defeat at home to Liverpool.
However, with Terry’s career drawing to a close at 35, Conte will be looking to soon sign a new full-back and 2 new centre-backs, which would also cast doubts over David Luiz’s starting place, despite the fact that he’s only just re-signed with the club.
Conte failed to land his top defensive targets in the summer – Leonardo Bonucci, of Juventus, and Kalidou Koulibaly, of Napoli. He eventually added left back Marcos Alonso and Luiz, who returned to the club from Paris Saint-Germain.
But Conte still believes he needs to increase his options at the back in the next two transfer windows.
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
