Conte set to be unveiled as new Chelsea boss

Antonio conte will be unveiled as Chelsea coach on thursday, with fans hoping he can deliver the goods at Stamford Bridge. 

Conte was appointed Chelsea boss on April 4 and takes up his role after leading Italy at Euro 2016, where they suffered a penalty shootout loss to Germany in the quarter-finals.

The Godfather – his nickname among the Italy players, according to Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci – is the permanent successor to Jose Mourinho, who is now boss of Manchester United.

As well as having a new man at the helm, Chelsea are expected to be more active than usual in the transfer market this summer.

Michy Batshuayi is Conte’s sole signing to date, but Leicester’s N’Golo Kante, Bonucci , Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan and numerous others have been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge.

Reports in France on Wednesday suggested Chelsea had agreed a fee of around £30million and a five-year deal with Kante .

Anyone making the move will not be in the Champions League this season after Chelsea’s woeful Premier League title defence last term.

Chelsea won the 2014-15 title under Mourinho, but finished only 10th in a surprise only surpassed by Leicester’s achievement in succeeding them as champions.

Guus Hiddink provided some stability following Mourinho’s sacking last December, the full reasons for which may never be known, but results did not improve enough under the caretaker boss for a sustained challenge for European places.

With Mourinho at United, Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham and Arsenal still managed by Arsene Wenger – not to mention whether Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester can challenge again or others will emerge – Conte has a major job to return Chelsea to the Premier League’s top table. And to do it quickly.

Conte is to be unveiled on Thursday afternoon at Stamford Bridge and his first match in charge is on Saturday against Rapid Vienna in Austria