Chelsea: Antonio Conte close to agreeing new contract at Stamford Bridge

Antonio Conte’s first season at Chelsea has been a huge success so far, and now the club are set to tie the Italian down to a new contract.

Antonio Conte is close to agreeing a new contract at Chelsea. The Italian is still in his first season at Stamford Bridge, but the club are moving quickly to tie him down to a new deal, according to Sky Sports.

Conte’s family are yet to join him in London and the Chelsea boss spoke of the difficulties of that situation recently. Conte has also been linked with clubs back in Italy, with Inter Milan being rumored to hold an interest.

A move back to Italy would, of course, help his personal life, but Chelsea were obviously not about to make that an option for Conte. Conte had to be kept happy at all costs, and that has come to fruition with a new contract.

On the face of it, it seems like a smart move given Chelsea’s success this season. But who was it a smart move by? There are two parties at play here – Conte and the club. It wouldn’t be the first time an individual exaggerated certain issues for contractual reasons.

Is Conte’s personal life really that complex? Or a handy negotiation ploy? Are Italian clubs really interested and making moves to sign Conte? Or just a convenient rumor to leak? No doubt Inter Milan would like Conte as their boss.

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They’d like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, too. But was there serious ambition and intent from the Italian’s to sign Conte? Would Conte really, truly, have any interest in the job anyway? Perhaps Conte has played the club here.

This is what happens when new contracts are being negotiated. It’s a game of chess. And, let’s not forget, this new contract is being negotiated just one year into Conte’s current deal. It’s not like his contract running down.

Antonio Conte is an intelligent man. He probably knows that things might not get any better than right now. Strike while the iron is hot. Next year, with other big clubs re-tooling in the summer, and Chelsea having the Champions League to deal with, next season could be a different story for the Blues.

Certain advantages the club have now, will not be there. So would you rather re-negotiate your contract when you’re, possibly, third and fighting on all fronts, or now when you’re coasting in 1st place? Exactly. It’s an obvious question with an obvious answer.

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Regardless of that, though, Chelsea clearly should be delighted with Conte given the success of this season. The Italian has done a phenomenal job. Keeping him is a no brainer. On this season’s evidence, Chelsea moving forward under Antonio Conte’s guidance is a strong Chelsea.

And that looks set to continue with Conte’s new contract.

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