Gianluca
Vialli says it would come as a surprise to see his former team-mate Antonio
Conte in charge of Chelsea come the beginning of next season and believes
the Italian is "almost looking forward to leaving" the club.
Chelsea cruised to the Premier League title during Conte's first season in
charge at Stamford Bridge but his second year at the helm has been a much
greater challenge with the Blues looking set to miss out on a Champions
League place.
Conte insisted he was not worried about his job after a 3-1 loss to
Tottenham on Super Sunday and Vialli - a former Juventus team-mate and
friend of the current Chelsea boss - believes the 48-year-old will soon move
on.
"There is no longer that sacred fire that characterised all of Chelsea's
performances last season," ex-Chelsea striker Vialli told Sky in Italy.
"It seems to me that the attitude is different, maybe because they are not
in the running for the title and so they stopped believing."
It's not only problems on the field that are making Conte's move away from
Chelsea seem more likely.
"I think Antonio has got problems such as sharing his choices with the club
during transfers. I think the players see this," Vialli added.
"I would be surprised to see Conte at Chelsea next season because I think he
is almost looking forward to leaving, and I also think that Chelsea want to
change, they want something new, maybe a manager who is more of a corporate
man - people have been talking about Luis Enrique."
Conte's Stamford Bridge future may remain under scrutiny but Vialli is sure
his compatriot will not be short of offers from elsewhere.
"Antonio, I don't know, maybe Paris Saint-Germain. I guess clubs will be
queuing up for him, so many clubs will want him, also our national team.
"I think Antonio will find a place to start working from and will win
something important."
top