Antonio Conte could be about to bolster his midfield with the acquisition of Fiorentina midfielder Milan Badelj.
Who is he?
The midfielder is a 27 year-old Croatian international, having impressed at Euro 2016 over the summer.
He occupies the central midfield position and is a reliant and consistent passer of the ball and his calm style would complement N’Golo Kante’s exuberance.
A key attribute is his ability to press high up the field and pinch the ball off opponents in dangerous areas of the field; an attractive proposition for Conte who demands intensity from his players.
Having been impressed by his play in Serie A when in charge of Juventus, Conte could exploit Badelj’s contract situation: with just 18 months left, Chelsea could swoop in at a bargain price of £9 million, according to TalkSport.
Bye bye Fabregas?
The arrival of Badelj could spell the end for playmaker Fabregas whose exclusion from the starting team has been well documented.
The Spaniard has found himself in the unfamiliar position of onlooker this season as his defensive play has not matched Conte’s expectations.
The signing of Badelj would mean the ex-Barcelona man would fall further down the pecking order and would have to face the possibility of moving clubs to revive his stagnating career.
Written by Michael Jones
Follow Michael on Twitter @jonesmichael_97
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