Antonio Conte is reportedly keeping tabs on Lazio winger Felipe Anderson as he plans to deploy a 3-5-2 system at Stamford Bridge.
This season, in more ways than one, has been disappointing for Chelsea. After a dismal 2015/16 campaign that saw them finish in tenth place, many expected Antonio Conte to turn things around at Stamford Bridge. But, with only four wins from his first seven games in charge, the Italian finds his side in seventh place on the table.
Much has been looked into Chelsea’s hapless transfer window. The signs looked positive after the Blues shelled out an estimated £63 million for midfield destroyer N’Golo Kante and talismanic striker Michy Batshuayi. But, the Londoners could only sign two other players until the end of the transfer window.
The ones that moved to Stamford Bridge in the business end of the window were David Luiz and Marcos Alonso. It was understood that the two defenders were not the first priority options for Conte and the Italian had to improvise due to the lack of Champions League football to offer.
A 4-1-4-1 system has not reaped high rewards for the former Juventus coach, and he has often talked about moving to his favoured three-man defence. The lack of quality ball-playing defenders and adept wing-backs has seen Conte hesitate to field his desired system at the Bridge. But, according to recent reports, he is lining up a shock swoop for the dexterous wing-back.
According to the Daily Mail, long-term Manchester United target Felipe Anderson has been made a transfer priority by the Chelsea manager. In recent weeks, the Brazilian has been used as a wing-back for his club Lazio, and could be handed a similar role should he decide to move to London. He was a transfer target for the Blues in the summer, but chose against moving to the London outfit.
The 23-year-old has a contract that runs out in 2020 at the Italian outfit, but could be prized away if Chelsea offer an adequate fee for his services. Lazio are expected to command a sum in the region of 45 million if they are to let go of their prized asset.
Anderson, 23, would be a good young signing for Antonio Conte’s side. He has a number of aged players in his back-line, and could well do with someone young who is capable of putting a shift defensively. The Brazilian is also known to stride forward and could become a utility player for the Blues in all thirds of the field.
