We are really in a pretty fucked situation with Conte. He obviously isn’t getting results, we are playing decent at times but we struggle in both or defensive third and the final third. We have good players in the squad we can’t get the most out of and an odd infatuation with some other shit players. We’ve brought in players to fit the formation while passing on young talent that could have been assets for our squad. We’ve also got golden handcuffs because we are paying this man 12 million a year, he won’t quit and we won’t fire him. That much became obvious in the summer when we bent over backwards to satisfy him.
So now what? I feel like it’s still early to consider a sacking but man I’m starting to think this is going to be a tough season. I can see what Conte wants to do but I don’t think we have all the players to execute it and that’s half down to him requesting old guys who can barely run anymore like Kolarov and Vidal while relying on players like D’Ambrosio and Gagliardini. He is a good coach but letting him control our transfer decisions was terrible, he literally can’t be saved from himself. It’s not uncommon amongst good tactical coaches even Mourinho has made questionable transfer requests, the difference was back then we said no and bought better alternatives and Mourinho didn’t threaten to quit when we did.
Now the guy is all Kumbaya in the media because even he knows he can’t complain. He literally made this bed and held our feet to the fire to do it. I still feel like he hasn’t lost the dressing room, and this is just such a odd season it’s tough to say if the results are all his fault or if there are some extenuating circumstances. Every team that finished late last season has had some sketchy results early this season. We could easily turn it around and have a strong 2nd half of the season. Or we could finish in 7th, nothing would surprise me.