In a pre-match press conference ahead of Napoli’s crucial Champions League clash with Chelsea on January 28, 2026, at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, the Italian tactician (who won the Premier League with the Blues in 2016/17) reflected on his successful tenure under Abramovich before pivoting to praise the present-day setup. Conte thanked Abramovich (referring to him affectionately as “coach Abramovich” in one translation) and Marina Granovskaia for the opportunity to manage abroad, calling it a “wonderful experience.” He then extended that goodwill to the Boehly-led era: “Now Chelsea is continuing to have the same winning mentality, the same desire to win. They buy young and important players. They are building something important for the future.”
This endorsement stands out because Conte’s time at Chelsea ended bitterly in 2018 amid transfer disputes, yet he’s now highlighting continuity in ambition—particularly the strategy of investing in high-potential young talents (e.g., recent focus on prospects like Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto integrations, and the broader youth-heavy recruitment model). Under Abramovich, Chelsea became synonymous with big-money signings of proven winners to deliver immediate trophies (21 major honors, including 5 PL titles and 2 UCLs). Conte sees echoes of that relentless drive in the current owners’ long-term vision, even if the execution looks different: patient development, player trading for profit (to navigate FFP), and squad youthification rather than splashy veteran additions.
The remarks have sparked rapid debate among Chelsea fans, especially given the club’s mid-table struggles in 2025/26 under Liam Rosenior (post-Enzo Maresca exit in early January). Many supporters remain deeply critical of BlueCo’s approach, arguing it prioritizes resale value and sustainability over winning now—contrasting sharply with Abramovich’s “pay and don’t speak” ethos for elite targets. Social media reactions include frustration that the “winning mentality” feels absent amid inconsistent results, heavy spending without trophies, and managerial turnover (multiple coaches since 2022). Former players like John Obi Mikel and Joe Cole have voiced similar discontent recently, with Mikel noting a shift to “buying & selling young players” for profit rather than title contention, and Cole slamming the club as a “trial institution for coaches.”
Conte’s Napoli face a Chelsea side needing points to advance in the Champions League league phase, adding extra tension to the fixture. His comments could serve as motivation for the Blues—or fuel for critics who see the praise as out of touch with on-pitch realities. For fans in Lagos and worldwide, this is another layer in the ongoing ownership saga: a club legend seeing promise in the rebuild, while many supporters demand more immediate success to match the Abramovich benchmark.
Whether this influences perceptions ahead of the tie remains to be seen, but Conte’s words have undeniably stirred conversation at a pivotal moment.
