After a hard-fought point at the Liberty Stadium last weekend, Europe less Chelsea will take on Liverpool in a Friday night kick-off this weekend in what will be the first time that Antonio Conte will face Klopp in a competitive fixture.
The Chelsea manager has managed to make his team stronger from before adding a number of star players to his squad but he is understandably unhappy with the options at his disposal and is looking at players who he can move for in January and also next summer.
He was not able to get his hands on few of his transfer targets in the summer transfer window and it is understood that Conte is keeping tabs on those players for a move next summer.
One such top priority transfer target for Chelsea this summer was AS Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan.
The Belgium international has been in fine form for the Italian outfit and was also impressive in his outings in the EUROs with his national team.
He was a target for Conte who ended up signing N’Golo Kante from Leicester City but it is understood that Conte is still keeping tabs on the midfielder for a move next summer.
However, the Stamford Bridge outfit was dealt a blow today after it was revealed that Nainggolan is happy in Italy and that he is not ready to move to the Premier League.
Talking to Talksport, the 28-year old midfielder revealed that he has no intentions of leaving Rome anytime soon and that he is close to agreeing on a contract extension with the Italian outfit in days to come.
“A renewal? I had already decided to stay,” Nainggolan, who has made three club appearances so far this term, said.
“I’m happy here and this thing will work itself out.
“I think we’re both on the same page, we’ll find an agreement soon.”
This will come as a huge blow for Antonio Conte who is ready to sell Cesc Fabregas and is in search of a top class midfielder to add to his squad at the end of the season.
The 28-year old would have been a good fit at the Bridge as he would have taken up a place alongside a power-house in Kante. This would have given him license to roam the width of the field and effect the game more than he is in Italy.
Though he has not real experience in England, Conte will know that he has missed out on a top class player and will hope that he can get his hands on other transfer targets before they come out with similar statements.
Do you think Radja Nainggolan should have moved to Chelsea?