A View From The Bridge

“Improved by 30%” – Former Chelsea boss reveals two transfers that could have saved his job

Antonio Conte wanted Chelsea to sign Virgil van Dijk and Romelu Lukaku

According to the Telegraph, former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has revealed the names of two players he wanted the club to sign.

The Italian believes that securing both Virgil van Dijk and Romelu Lukaku could have helped him stay in the job past his second season.

“I asked for two players and we were very, very close after we won the league.”

Conte led the club to an impressive double of the Premier League and the FA Cup in his first season at the club. He was keen to add to it from a position of strength going into his second season.

Antonio Conte wanted Chelsea to sign Virgil van Dijk and Romelu Lukaku

Unfortunately, neither player joined the club and Conte would not make it to a third campaign with the Blues.

Hindsight is an important trait, especially when it comes to transfers. Conte certainly appears to have had it given how both players have gone on to perform elsewhere.

Conte was in regular contact with the players and believed their additions would have ensured Chelsea dominated for years to come.

“We were in contact every day and I always said that with these two players we would improve my team by 30 percent.”

Virgil van Dijk has developed into a dominant defender at Liverpool

To be fair, one would have been excused if they felt Liverpool overpaid for Van Dijk back in 2018. The Dutchman has since grown into arguably the best defender on the planet and has silenced his critics.

Lukaku, on the other hand, was coming off an excellent spell at Everton. Manchester United, however, beat us to him and he went on to enjoy reasonable success at the Theatre of Dreams.

Now under Conte at Inter Milan, Lukaku has thrived and is scoring for fun. If anything, it is a vindication of the manager’s desire to pursue his signature while at Chelsea.

Lukaku then at Everton was a prolific scorer

More Chelsea News

It is debatable if both players would have reached their current levels of success at Chelsea. However, Conte is confident that they would have set us up for an era of dominance.

Whether that would truly have been the case, we will now never know.

Pranav Nair

Recent Posts

Noni Madueke praises Cole Palmer, and says he doesn’t have a ceiling

Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has sung the praises of his teammate, Cole Palmer, describing him as a player with extraordinary…

7 days ago

Fan Power: How Chelsea Fans Could Stop Stamford Bridge Move

Ask any matchday Chelsea fan who the CPO are, and they’ll tell you that it stands for the Chelsea Pitch…

3 weeks ago

Chelsea and Arsenal in pursuit of €427,308 per week striker

Chelsea and Arsenal are reportedly planning to make a signing move for the Juventus Center forward in winter.

3 weeks ago

Former Arsenal star raves about Chelsea’s midfield maestro

Cole Palmer is taking the headlines for the performances he has been putting in since moving to Chelsea in the…

1 month ago

Chelsea alarmed by unfolding situation with 17-year-old signing

Chelsea have received an alarming news on their signing Kendry Paez who is likely to join the club next year.

1 month ago

Chelsea ready to move for Brazilian defender with €70 million. release clause

According to a Brazilian news outlet UOL, Chelsea are trying to sign the young Brazilian JP Chermont from Santos.

1 month ago