Antonio Conte has reportedly set his sights on AS Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe despite Chelsea handing Victor Moses a contract extension
The Telegraph have reported that Antonio Conte wants to strengthen his wing-back positions in the summer. The Chelsea manager is, thus, targetting AS Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe for a move for when the transfer window opens in June.
Sidibe has been one of the success stories for AS Monaco this season, with the French club taking Ligue 1 by storm in their charge to the top of the table. Leonardo Jardim’s side have been the most exciting attacking outfit in Europe, but Sidibe has been a key factor at the back, ensuring things don’t go haywire in defence.
Away from the limelight of his more illustrious attacking teammates, Sidibe has gone about his business quietly, making a mark with his no-nonsense attitude in defence. He has also chipped in in attack, scoring 3 goals while providing 5 assists in 34 matches in all competitions.
This has been noticed by Antonio Conte, who is keen to add to his options in the wing-back position in the summer. This is despite Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso going great guns in the two slots this season.
In fact, Moses has been one of the biggest success stories under the new Chelsea boss, with his consistent performances as the right wing-back in Conte’s 3-4-3 system. His stellar efforts have now been rewarded with a two-year contract extension that will see him stay at Stamford Bridge until 2021.
However, it is important to note that beyond Moses and Alonso, Conte’s options are running thin, with Nathan Ake as the only alternative for the left wing back slot. With Chelsea set to contest on four fronts next season, Conte will need to beef up his squad in order to mount sustainable challenge for all trophies.
And the Chelsea manager has identified Sidibe as one of his top targets to strengthen the wing back positions when the transfer window opens in June. The fact that Sidibe is equally adept at playing on either flanks also makes him an attractive option, and at 24 he is a long-term solution for Conte.
He has also identified Thomas Lemar, who is primarily a left winger but can also be played a wing back, Sead Kolasinac, Michail Antonio and Jonas Hector as his possible options in recent months, but Sidibe has emerged as a top priority.
Antonio Conte needs to add depth to his squad with the prospect of contesting for four trophies next season all but secure. It remains to be seen if he now makes a concrete offer for Sidibe or moves on to some other target.
