Embed from Getty Images
Chelsea have sent scouts to watch Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, according to reports.
The 22-year-old has been the standout star for Leverkusen this season, with four goals and four assists in 13 Bundesliga appearances so far.
And the Daily Mail claim that Antonio Conte has sent scouts to keep tabs on the attacking midfielder.
Embed from Getty Images
Calhanoglu, whose current contract expires in 2019, has been already linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this season.
Antonio Conte has been linked with signing a new midfielder in the January transfer window following Oscar’s £60 million exit to the Chinese Super League.
Elsewhere, Conte has confirmed that Michy Batshuayi will not be sent out on loan in January,’ said the Italian.
‘He’s a new player for Chelsea and to go on loan now is a defeat for the club and for me.
‘Every decision I make is because I want to win. I try to make the best decision for the team but I am sure Michy will have the possibility to play in the future.
Embed from Getty Images
‘I wanted to give him the opportunity to play and have another appearance and it happened at the end.
‘We have to continue to work with him every day to try together to improve him, and to bring him to the best condition to help us in this league. We need him.’
Chelsea set sights on summer deal for Atletico Madrid star
CHELSEA have lined up Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak as a potential replacement for Thibaut Courtois, according to reports.
Courtois is understood to be on Real Madrid’s radar after the Spanish club had their transfer ban reduced to just one window.
Embed from Getty Images
Zinedine Zidane’s side cannot act in January but are said to be planning a summer swoop for the Belgium international.
Chelsea are prepped for an offer from Real and have reportedly lined up a number of potential replacements for the 24-year-old.
Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport claim Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak is top of Antonio Conte’s wishlist.
However, the Slovenia international will not come cheap as his current deal with Atletico runs unit June 2021.
Embed from Getty Images
The report says AC Milan’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Yann Sommer are also on the Blues’ shortlist.
Express Sport understands Joe Hart is also on Chelsea’s radar and they will attempt to do business with rivals Manchester City.
Hart is currently on a a season-long loan with Italian side Torino after being forced out following the signing of Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.
City are keen to offload the England international in the summer but they would prefer he left for a club abroad rather than a direct competitor in the Premier League.
Chelsea’s rivals show us ‘great respect’ with tactics shift – Conte
Antonio Conte believes Chelsea should see it is a compliment when visiting teams adapt their philosophy to try and snatch a result against the Blues.
The Blues have won 12 Premier League matches in succession and moved seven points clear at the top of the table with a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth on Boxing Day.
Embed from Getty Images
The Cherries switched to three at the back to try to play Chelsea at their own game and it worked for the first period until Pedro fired the hosts in front.
Eden Hazard added a second from the penalty spot and a late Pedro strike deflected in off Steve Cook.
Conte views teams changing tactics as a mark of respect and says it happened at Juve, who won 33 of 38 games under him in 2013-14.
Embed from Getty Images
“After 12 wins in a row, every team must play against Chelsea try also to change their formation. It happened also in Italy when I was manager of Juventus.
“We must be prepared for the formation of our opponent (to change). I think this means great respect for us.”
The post Chelsea has already identified Oscar replacement: Conte and Abramovich have send Scouts to watch him appeared first on Chelsea Season.