After seeing José Mourinho hijack their Romelu Lukaku deal and letting Nemanja Matic go to Old Trafford, Chelsea have undeniably strengthened a direct rival while weakening themselvesOpinion has been divided on the wisdom of Chelsea selling Nemanja Matic to Manchester United for £40m. There are those who say top teams, especially defending champions, should never sell to direct rivals, and those who believe the money was too good to refuse down for a player who has just turned 29.It is being argued that Chelsea have just signed an upgrade in Tiémoué Bakayoko for the same price, at least a player Antonio Conte regarded as an upgrade in the same position, and at just 22 the promising France midfielder offers many...
Liverpool’s defensive frailties, Wayne Rooney’s nous in both boxes, an unwanted headache for Paul Clement and Manchester United’s unsung heroesSo, why was it that Chelsea decided they could afford to let Nemanja Matic join Manchester United and willingly pass over one of the more brilliantly effective midfield players of the modern game to a major rival? When that question was posed to José Mourinho after Manchester United’s biggest league win since he took over as manager he made it sound as if he was slightly bewildered, too. “It depends on what is happening, or what was happening, behind doors and we don’t know,” he said. “The only thing I know is that, with Chelsea’s money, I brought him to Stamford...
Beaten 3-2 at home by a magnificent Burnley in their first league match, the champions now face Tottenham next Sunday with players suspendedFor a few seconds after Sam Vokes had risen to meet Steven Defour’s cross to give Burnley an improbable 3-0 lead over the Premier League champions at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte stood staring into thin air with his hand resting impassively on his chin. The Chelsea manager has witnessed a lot during a decade in the dugout but watching his misfiring team succumb so meekly to a side who had recorded just one away victory last season surely must have been a new experience.After a strange summer that has seen his employers spend the best part of £130m...
Antonio Conte’s squad appears thin, with new signings merely replacing departed players, while Diego Costa remains in limboJosé Mourinho takes so many swings at so many perceived enemies that it is easy to forget there are times that he may be right. As his final season at Chelsea spiralled out of control, Mourinho flailed in all directions: at referees, at his medical staff, at opponents, at the media and eventually at his own players.But with retrospect a couple of his jabs look well-directed. “I gave my club the report of the season projection on 21 April,” he said after the defeat by Crystal Palace in August 2015. “This is a moment for everybody to assume their responsibilities,” he added during...
Arsenal’s new striker had few opportunities to shine in the Community Shield but it should be different when he is flanked by Alexis Sánchez and Mesut ÖzilFor Arsenal the entertainment came in equal measure from the left boot of Thibaut Courtois and the ox-like shoulders of Sead Kolasinac. In the bigger picture Alexandre Lacazette’s slighter frame may carry more of a burden and, although this was no stand-out introduction to English football for their new forward, it will have proved a brisk enough sharpener.That is the requirement, at least. With Alexis Sánchez still kept at a remove from the action there appears no prospect of a quick click into gear for the pair Arsène Wenger hopes will vindicate his decision...