Italian manager Antonio Conte’s debut season in the Premier League is close to ending in glory and the manager will be ecstatic with the progress every player in the squad has made since his move to the Stamford Bridge.
The former Juventus manager bought in the likes of David Luiz, N Golo Kante and Marcos Alonso, three players who have been influential in the title run this season for the Blues. And with Chelsea sure to play in the Champions League next season, Conte might have to dive into the transfer market yet again in the summer.
The manager has been looking to improve a couple of positions in the squad and has been looking at some of the best players in Europe but one player who can solve a few problems at the Bridge, that is linked with a move to Chelsea, is West Ham star Michail Antonio.
One of the most versatile players in the English domestic league, Antonio, has played as a winger, a wing-back and also as a false-9 in his time under Slaven Bilic and has grown into one of the most influential players in the league this season.
Having scored 8 goals and picked up another 5 assists already this season, Antonio, has been an impact player for the Hammers but the form of the club this season has seen him linked with an exit.
West Ham are currently in the 10th place in the points table, far away from a place in Europe and though Slaven Bilic has in the past revealed that he is not ready to sell him, Antonio might be tempted to move to the home of the Champions come the end of the season.
Conte was linked with a move for the 26-year old in January but Antonio was not ready for the move but according to reports from the Sun, the manager is confident of landing him in the summer.
It is understood that West Ham are prepared to offer him a bumper contract but the player has today revealed that he is in no hurry to put pen to paper.
Speaking to Sky Sports recently, Antonio revealed that though it is flattering being wanted by the best clubs in England, that he is currently grounded and wants to help the Hammers till the end of the current season.
“Right now, nothing is really happening on the contract talks,” Antonio told Sky Sports.
“We’ll just see how things go. At the moment my head is not being swayed in any way. I just want to play my football and whatever happens, happens,” he added.
When asked whether he will sign an extension at the London Stadium, Antonio added: “We’ll see.”
West Ham will find it hard to get a place in Europe next season and if they are not able to, they might not be able to keep hold of the winger come the start of the next season.