Antonio Conte wants to Trim Chelsea squad with 5 first-team players facing uncertain futures

Antonio Conte is ready to cut his current 34-man Chelsea squad ahead of the forthcoming season.
The Italian wants a smaller squad to work with when the Blues kick off their Premier League campaign at home to West Ham on August 15th.

According to the Evening Standard, the likes of Pedro, Asmir Begovic, Juan Cuadrado, Oscar and Loic Remy face an uncertain future, while several youngsters are expected to be sent out on loan.

“We have 30 players and four goalkeepers. Now we have one game against Werder Bremen (on Sunday) and then we must take a decision – and I hope to take the best decision for the club,” Conte said after Chelsea’s 3-1 win over AC Milan.

“My ideas are very clear now, but first I must talk about these ideas with the club.
“It is normal when we go back to London that I will talk with the club. We will talk about these two weeks and what I have learned and I will also speak to all the players.

“My ideas are more clear than they were two weeks ago. It is normal when you have 30 players and in just 10 days we start our League. We have to get the right squad and the right numbers.”

Chelsea entered last season as champions but disastrous form saw them finish 10th in the league, with Conte’s predecessor Jose Mourinho being sacked early in the campaign.

A lack of European football can be advantageous as Leicester City showed last season when they astonishingly swon the Premier League.

Conte arrives having taken Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, where they were eliminated by world champions Germany on penalties.

Credit: Squawka

Mikel: I'm Definitely Staying at Chelsea

The Nigeria international has been targeted by teams in China, Turkey and the Middle East this summer but, after a decade at the club, is determined to fight for his place under new manager Antonio Conte.

Speaking to Standard Sport, the 29-year-old said: “I am definitely staying at Chelsea and I will try to give my best to the club, like I have always done.

“I want to help the team fight for every point, every win and to win trophies. I also want to help the team qualify for the Champions League again as soon as possible.

“For 10 years I have been going to the same training ground, the same locker room. It is an amazing club, with an amazing owner. They are like a family to me. It is a place that has become a part of me.”

The midfielder, who wants to be referred to as Mikel John Obi from now on, has 12 months left on his contract.

He hopes to convince the club to offer an extension but insists he will not hold any grudges if he ends up leaving on a free transfer.

“I have a year left and then we will see what happens,” he said. “If I play well this season, it will help me earn a new contract.

“I will give 120 per cent every time I’m on the pitch or come off the bench. I will always give my best.

Credit: Standard sport