Chelsea will lock their horns against Watford in Premier League. They will be keen to pull off a win in this match to get back in the third position in the League table. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte has been reported to leave Chelsea and go back to coaching the Italian national team according to the latest commissioner Roberto Fabbricini. The newly appointed commissioner hinted that his national compatriot wants a return to Italy and will be back to coaching his former national side.
Conte has not been having a very fruitful time at Chelsea off late and there are plenty of rumors floating around Stamford Bridge that the Italian could be sacked soon after a string of poor performances. Even the Italian manager has expressed his frustrations with the Chelsea board over transfer policies and has no control over the players that enter and exit the club.
Chelsea has not given Conte any power to sign the players that he wants and that has backfired this season with the former Juventus manager being disappointed over the transfers. And Conte himself may leave the club after stating that he wants to move back to Italy as his passion for coaching the national team is inexplicable.
Speaking to a press conference, the newly appointed Italian FA commissioner Fabbricini spoke about the different candidates that could replace Gian Piero Ventura, who was sacked after a shock elimination in the FIFA World Cup Play-Offs. A loss to Sweden in November confirmed that the Azzurri would not be able to play in the World Cup 2018 in Russia during the summer.
Roberto Mancini, a manager who won Manchester City their Premier League title in the most dramatic way ever, currently with Zenit St Petersburg, Carlo Ancelotti, who was recently sacked by Bayern Munich, and Nantes coach Claudio Ranieri, who led Leicester City to a Premier League title in 2015-16 are among the candidates along with Conte, who could be in in line for the big job.
Team News :
Watford :
Chelsea academy Nathaniel Chalobah will be out of the contention to start the match against his boyhood club. Gomes will start at Watford Goal while Kabasele, Britos and Mariappa will play as three central defenders. Femenia and Holebas will play as two wingbacks while Cleverley and Doucoure will be in the central midfield position. Richarlison and Pereyra will play along with Gray at the upfront of the field against Chelsea.
Chelsea :
Andreas Christensen will be available for Chelsea after missing the previous match. David Luiz is unavailable due to knee injury. Without a doubt, Thibaut Courtois will start in the Blues’ Goal while Christensen, Azpilicueta and Rudiger might start for the Blues in three man central defense while Moses and Alonso will be there at two flanks for Chelsea. Kante and Fabregas will always be present in the heart of the midfield for the Blues. Pedro, Morata and Hazard will be there upfront for the Blues against Watford.
Predicted Starting Eleven :
Watford :(3-4-3)
Goalkeeper : Gomes
Defenders : Kabasele, Britos, Mariappa.
Midfielders : Femenia, Cleverley, Doucoure, Holebas
Attackers : Richarlison, Pereyra, Gray.
Chelsea :(3-4-3)
Goalkeeper : Courtois
Defenders : Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger.
Midfielders : Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso
Attackers : Pedro, Hazard, Morata.
My Score Prediction :
Chelsea 2-0 Watford.
