Antonio Conte has been linked with a move to Manchester United as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's position at the club grows increasingly unstable.
Of course, you probably don't need me to remind you that Conte has managed in the Premier League before, guiding Chelsea to their fifth Premier League title in 2016/17.
Conte's two-year spell at Stamford Bridge was an absolute rollercoaster of emotions, eventually leaving the club in 2018 as Maurizio Sarri took the reins.
In the latest edition of the Carefree Chelsea stream, Anita Abayomi, Jai Mcintosh, Scott Clayton and Daniel Childs took time to reflect on Conte's spell with the Blues.
DC: “There is a part of Conte’s character that I do respect but Conte is a 50/50 story. The 2016/17 season was so incredible. I don’t feel our analysis of Conte should forget how incredible that season was in the title race.
“He changed the system to a 3-4-3, some of the tactical changes he made that season to turn us from a team that looked shambolic to one that was the best in England. Some of the performances…
“The 5-0 win against Everton, which I was very lucky to be at, was the best I’ve seen Chelsea play live in my life. That performance was outstanding.
"I think about the performances of Diego Costa in that system. Eden Hazard, Pedro had his best season for Chelsea. David Luiz probably having his best season as a defender. There are so many players in that team that were so good in it. It worked so well.
“My issue with Conte was the second season. If you’re a fan of Conte it’s so easy to remove the responsibility from him and onto failed transfers, conflict with the board. Basically, what happened to him has happened to other coaches too.
“But I don’t think that tells the whole story. The 2016/17 season is the best management of a Chelsea team I’ve seen tactically. 2017/18 is the worst management I’ve seen from a coach as a Chelsea fan.
“Maybe AVB [André Villas-Boas] but he wasn’t at the club for a full season. The thing I always reference here - and I know it’s going to annoy people - is that Antonio Conte had Eden Hazard, the bulk of a title-winning squad, and he failed to get Champions League football - we were second on New Year's Day.
"Frank Lampard had no Eden Hazard and as an inexperienced coach got us Champions League football.
“I’m not saying 2017/18 failed because of Conte, there are obviously things behind the scenes that other Chelsea coaches have struggled to deal with.”
AA: “First season [under Conte] was absolutely amazing, the second season was definitely one of the worst seasons I’ve watched as a Chelsea fan and I'm including the time we came 10th. Sometimes I feel like the good outweighs the bad with Conte at Chelsea.
“He got the Premier League title in his first season at Chelsea and it was really nice to have that feel around Stamford Bridge. When that season started I was happy with a top-four finish, but that was not Antonio Conte’s aim.
“If the second season didn’t happen, Antonio Conte would be my favourite manager of all time at Chelsea. What sold me is that around that Arsenal match when we lost 3-0 he spotted something.
“He changed the formation to a three at the back. Given it was way too late at the point in the game but we played Hull next and he changed the entire formation to a 3-4-3 and that led to a lot of questions.
“Then we won back-to-back games and went on the perfect run. The game against Manchester City also defined Conte and blew me away. It was counter-attacking football at its best.
“It sold to me that Antonio Conte could become of the best manager at Chelsea.”
What are your thoughts on Antonio Conte’s managerial stint at Chelsea? Follow our CareFreeChelsea team Scott , Daniel , Anita , Jai and Renuka on Twitter to get involved in the discussion and leave your comments below!
