
After
Chelsea won the Premier League title on Friday, Sky Sports pundits Thierry
Henry, Frank Lampard and Jamie Redknapp looked at what the future holds for
Antonio Conte's side.
Michy Batshuayi came off the bench to score the winner at West Brom as the
Blues won the title for the second time in the last three seasons.
Conte has now won four successive domestic titles after winning three in a
row at Juventus, but his future at Stamford Bridge is uncertain as he has
been linked with a move to Inter Milan.
If he does stay, then Chelsea legend Lampard thinks Conte has the potential
to "build a dynasty" at the club.
"I think so. If you're a Chelsea fan that's what you're hoping for now. The
way he's held himself this year and the results have been different class,"
said Lampard on Friday Night Football.
"N'Golo Kante is the player of the season, Eden Hazard was close, but the
man of the season is Conte. He is the boss, he has driven them from 10th
last year to make them champions and in the end it has been pretty
comfortable.
"I think he's going to be backed in the summer, and he does need backing.
It's a great squad of players they've got there but maybe there will be a
freshen up, don't lose your best players and add one or two at the top end
to go into the Champions League."
Lampard said he expects next season to be a "big test" for Chelsea as they
look to defend their Premier League title and also challenge in Europe.
"It's the second season, and the formation won't be a surprise. The players
will be a second season in and we saw that last season they couldn't sustain
it for a second year," he said.
"And all the other teams behind, other than Tottenham, have been
disappointing, and they will be back stronger."
Redknapp says the Blues will have to rotate more next year, with only 13
players starting five or more games this season.
"Players like Eden Hazard should be in Europe and playing at the top level
but it will be totally different in the Champions League because they will
have to rotate and use their players wisely," he said.
"But Conte has experience of that and is a fantastic manager who knows what
he is doing. I am sure they will bring in a couple of players to add to it
next year. You could see this Chelsea team having a good run in Europe."
Henry agreed with Redknapp's assessment, saying Conte's experience could be
key for Chelsea in the Champions League.
"We all know the Premier League is very demanding and Conte didn't rotate
the team much this season, so he will have to do that more next season," he
said.
"We don't know who will come in over the summer, but we know that Conte has
the pedigree to do something in Europe.
"He believes his tactics and systems will win him the game more than
individuals. He believes the structure and the plan will win him the game."