Antonio Conte has admitted his admiration for Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal ahead of the clash between Arsenal and Chelsea this weekend.
The Gunners play host to the Blues in what could prove a tough encounter for our side, thanks to a number of injury absences of late. We will be hoping home advantage can help us to claim all three points, but our squad will be stretched for the crunch clash.
Conte may well be playing some mind games ahead of the clash, by talking about his admiration for Alexis Sanchez, who has already been struggling to find his best form amidst hue uncertainty regarding his future.
The Italian admits that the Chilean would be of interest to him as a target, but moves to insist that his involvement at Chelsea Football Club is solely to work with the players he has, and not to make moves in the market, which is tasked elsewhere within the club.
“I think there is this maybe this habit here, but I’m not involved in the transfer market, I give my opinion but the club decide for the players they want to buy, to invest in,” he told reporters.
“I changed my number. I don’t have this problem. In this period for us it’s very difficult, but it’s right for the club to be involved 100 per cent in the transfer market and to try to do the best for the team and for the club and I’m ready to face every situation.
“We must stay calm. I don’t like to speak about other players of other teams but you are talking about two big and strong players, top players for their roles, and Vidal is one of the best in the world but Sanchez is the same as a striker.”
Should Conte keep quiet about our players? Will Alexis be distracted by Conte’s words?
Pat J