Conte is known for having quite the strong personality, meaning that he likely will put his own signature on the way the entire club behaves. He is expected to be a manager not a coach which in turn means that he will oversee more than just training sessions. The transfer strategy will be revised, the youth team will probably be influenced by his arrival and players on loan will be closely monitored and reassessed. Right now Chelsea has 40 players available and a negative transfer record. Aside from those 40 players there 8 more footballers who are on loan until 2017 bringing the total to almost 50 names all of which are targeting to become part of the starting eleven. This situation is the result of a Buy and Lend strategy the club implemented starting a few years back. According to The Mirror, things will not change as the Blues are after their 49th player.
Gabriel Barbosa has made it to Chelsea’s transfer list who are willing to pay up to £25million for the 19-year-old who is now under contract with Santos. His agreement is due to end in 2021 thus the high asking price which Conte is willing to pay. Even so, it is clear that if the young Brazilian does move to Stamford Bridge, he will not be part of the starting eleven. He is best used as a right winger where Willian, Pedro, Cuadrado and even Christian Atsu have priority. The only way Barbosa could be given that chance to perform is if Pedro is going to play second fiddle to Hazard and Cuadrado will not accept to be a substitute for Willian and pushes for an exit. This way Barbosa could be a decent substitute for Willian and sort of justify the £25million asking price. There’s one more option which is to bring Barbosa as a replacement for Remy thus turning this Brazilian wonder kid into Chelsea’s 3rd striker. His efficiency in front of goal might be a problem as he is a lot better on the flanks rather than up front.