Weekly Why: Chelsea, Antonio Conte and the 'Lure' of European Football
Welcome to Bleacher Report's Weekly Why, a place where we discuss world football's biggest questions that may go neglected and/or avoided. Ranging from the jovial to the melancholic, no subject matter is deemed off limits.
Why Do We Think European Football Is So Attractive?
As summers approach, particular narratives are always relevant before transfer windows. One of the more popular trains of thought being: The best players and managers want UEFA Champions League football, and they won't join clubs that aren't in the competition.
As Europe's most prestigious club-cup trophy, the UCL is a massive draw, this cannot be denied, but I'm not so sure—as many would have us think—its absence is an outright deal breaker. The decision to change clubs are more nuanced than: "If they have Champions League, I go; if they don't, I won't."
When listing the pros and cons of a particular move, having European football is an obvious pro, but things like wages, prestige, playing time or transfer control (in a managerial context) might outweigh not having a season with the Champions League or UEFA Europa League.
In the recent past, Angel Di Maria left European champions Real Madrid for Manchester United in 2014. Bought for £59.7 million, the Argentinian was walking into the nuclear fallout of David Moyes' reign and the uncertainly of Louis van Gaal's new appointment.
Manchester's red half finished the 2013/14 season in seventh place, without European football, but United were still able to acquire, arguably, Madrid's most important player from the previous campaign. It shows, under the right circumstances, world-class footballers can be acquired and/or attracted to reputable clubs, despite whatever perceived limitations.
Chelsea announced their seventh permanent manager/head coach during the Roman Abramovich era this month. Italy manager Antonio Conte accepted the west Londoners' rebuilding job, and will start construction after completing his Euro 2016 duties with the Azzurri.
As one of the world's best managers not attached to a club—especially considering their current league position—the Blues thinking they could sign Conte was rather audacious. Much like Van Gaal and Manchester United in 2014, though, the former Juventus manager sacrificed European football to coach Chelsea Football Club.
While not as prestigious or heralded as their Mancunian rival, the defending English champions (a phrase I can only use for another next month in relation to Chelsea) remain one of Europe's most intriguing clubs. Situated in affluent west London, building a new £600 million stadium and four years removed from winning the Champions League, I could see how Conte might enjoy working for a normally successful, albeit expedited, outfit.
Once we add his £6.5 million salary (i.e. £125,000 per week) over three years, via the Daily Mail's Kieran Gill, not having European football could be pitched as a season-long holiday or an opportunity to install his plans without the added "distraction" of midweek travel and/or stress.
Heading into one of the biggest summers since Abramovich bought the club in 2003, the massive question for Blues supporters is: "Who can Conte buy?" Despite links with the whole of Serie A, many are suggesting getting players to join Chelsea will be difficult without the lure of European football.
"Were linked w/ the whole of Italy right now.
— ChelseaTalk (@ChelseaTaIk) 8 April 2016"
I'm surprised the Pope isn't "set for a shocking Vatican City move to Stamford Bridge."
I think that's an oversimplification.
Chelsea can't pay the same wages and expect to capture the same quality of footballer, but if they increase their wage offerings, there's no reason to think players won't join just because they won't hear the Champions League anthem for one season.
When top footballers are heading to the Chinese Super League (Jackson Martinez, Ramires, Alex Teixeira, Gervinho and others), maybe it's time to reconsider why we believe European football is the primary reason players go where they go? To some, testing their abilities at the highest level is crucial, but to others, they mightn't be bothered where they play professionally—as long as their cheques clear.
I'm begrudgingly starting to believe what I probably already knew: If more money's being offered, the particulars don't really matter. If Abramovich, for example, is offering you thousands of his fortune every week, not having to play/manage an extra game every week wouldn't curb your enthusiasm.
Furthermore, having a reputable boss like Conte in the same boat appears advantageous. Should an available player have hesitations about Chelsea, the Italian head coach could impart his own reasons and ambitions for moving to Stamford Bridge—almost leading by example.
Explaining why players would neglect Europe isn't that difficult when money's presented as the primary factor. Personally, as a football fan, I want to see the best players in the best competitions—which, no doubt, skews my interpretation.
Perhaps that's the reason we view European football as such an attraction?
As supporters, our club comes first. The best thing for our respective clubs is to aim as high as possible—in some cases that means survival, in others it means (or demands) winning silverware. Attempting to rationalise a footballer avoiding lofty Champions League heights can't compute for someone who would likely play for their favourite club free of charge.
Often that desire translates to players, but occasionally, teams can find top talent willing to forgo the highest level. Conte and Abramovich's board must find players who can be persuaded by money and Stamford Bridge's future project—which isn't as dire a proposition as some make it seem.
Were European football the be-all and end-all of transfer negotiations, then BATE Borisov (who are qualified for the 2016/17 Champions League) would attract better footballers than Chelsea this summer, but it isn't—and they won't—so I'd prefer we stopped acting like it is.
Nothing's ever as straightforward.
Last Weekly: Pep Guardiola, Antonio Conte and the Trend of Midseason Appointments | Why Aren't Clubs Waiting to Announce Managers?
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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