Coach of Chelsea Antonio Conte has given his opinion on the central defence options available to him ahead of the start of the defence of their Premier League title.
Speaking ahead of their pre season game against Arsenal Conte listed the options available to him in defence bar the first choice trio of captain Gary Cahill, David Luiz and new signing Antonio Rudigier.
The coach mentioned Anglo-Nigerian defender Fikayo Tomori as well as returning loanee Andreas Christensen as back up to the first choice central defence trio, with returning Nigerian defender Kenneth Omeruo conspicuously missing in his mention.
Omeruo is back at Chelsea after a loan spell in Turkey with Alanyaspor, his second consecutive spell in the country after a fairly successful time with another Turkish side Kasimpasa the previous season.
Although he claimed he has been offered the chance to remain at Chelsea, the statement from the coach clearly shows the coach has no space for the Nigerian in his squad, who are in China for pre season training.
A return to Turkey has been mooted for the 23 year old Nigeria international, but Chelsea are not keen on allowing him leave on loan as opposed to previous seasons, and they demanded a fee in the region of 7 million euros for his permanent transfer.
Michael James
