Antonio Conte not happy with Chelsea’s board over club’s transfer policy

Antonio Conte has told Chelsea’s board that he wants a bigger say in the club’s transfer policy ahead of talks over a new contract, according to reports.

It was claimed that the Italian’s only recommended signing since he joined has been N’Golo Kante, while the Chelsea manager is unhappy that his squad was not bolstered in the January transfer window.

Branislav Ivanovic, Oscar and John Obi Mikel were allowed to leave Stamford Bridge, and Conte is ‘astonished’ that Chelsea’s board considered the return of Nathan Ake, Kenedy and Charly Musonda from their loan spells as sufficient replacements.

Chelsea are keen to extend the 47-year-old’s current deal, which will have two years remaining this summer.

But Conte, who remains on course to win the Premier League title in his first season at Chelsea, feels he has not been suitably backed in the transfer market and will not commit until his requests are met.

The club’s current transfer policy is overseen by director Marina Granovskaia and technical director Michael Emenalo, while Conte also gives the board his recommendations.

Conte has also told the Chelsea hierarchy that he is concerned that the current squad will not be able to cope with the added stress of Champions League football next season, and wants at least four new signings.