London: Roman Abramovich will hold a final face-to-face meeting with Antonio Conte before signing off his appointment as Chelsea’s next permanent manager. Conte is close to agreeing a three-year deal to take over at Stamford Bridge when his contract as Italy’s head coach expires after the European Championships. However, former England manager Fabio Capello has warned the Italian that he will struggle in the Premier League if he does not fully grasp the language. Negotiations over his contract have so far been led by Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia but owner Abramovich is ready to meet with Conte in Monte Carlo to shake hands on an agreement. Conte ideally wants confirmation of the deal before Italy’s next game against Spain on March 24. It is understood he has been learning English ahead of his anticipated move and Capello believes it is vital for the 46-year-old to be able to communicate effectively with his new squad. Capello struggled to master English during his four years as the national manager and encountered even bigger communication -problems when he took over as head coach of Russia in 2012. Chelsea have seen first-hand how difficult it can be for players to operate, under a manager who cannot speak good English, in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s ill-fated six months in charge.
“Conte is preparing for Chelsea,” Capello said. “He has the time to arrive and train Chelsea in the best way, as this is an important club. “I think the most important thing will be the team he is able to put on the field. He needs defenders and there aren’t that many around. “His communication with the players will also be fundamental. I myself had a difficult experience in Russia where I always had to speak through a translator. “It was not easy, because the players always expect that extra word from the coach, the decisive statement to let you understand or change something.” Chelsea’s move for Conte has forced the Italian Football Federation to draw up candidates to succeed the former Juventus manager. With Carlo Ancelotti joining Bayern Munich at the end of the season, Italian sources believe Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri will be on the shortlist, along with former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini. Ranieri signed a three-year contract at Leicester last summer but the remarkable job he has done in leading the Midlands club to the top of the Premier League has not gone unnoticed in his home country.
