Pundit accuses Antonio Conte of poor judgement about Chelsea FC transfer

Man United midfielder Nemanja Matic Photo: MUTV

Garth Crooks has accused Chelsea FC manager Antonio Conte of “exceptionally poor judgement”.

The Italian head coach took over the reins of the west London side from Guus Hiddink following their tenth-placed finish in 2016.

Chelsea FC won the Premier League title last term with two games to spare after finishing seven points ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues made the surprising decision to sell Serbia international Nemanja Matic in a £40m deal to Manchester United.

Matic has already transformed Jose Mourinho’s midfield, while Conte’s side have struggled without their Serbian enforcer.

Manchester United are in second place and nine points ahead of the defending Premier League champions.

Former Spurs forward Crooks admitted that he still can’t understand Conte’s decision to offload Matic given his obvious importance.

“Can anyone explain why Antonio Conte sold Matic to one of his main rivals?” Crooks told BBC Sport.

“I didn’t understand it at the time and it makes even less sense to me now. Against Brighton the Serbia international was imperious.

“Matic is not a star and refuses to crave the limelight in the same manner as Paul Pogba for example – although there is nothing wrong with that if you are performing.

“However Matic joining United has left Chelsea, and more importantly Conte, exposed and placed United in a much more favourable position. Exceptionally poor judgment by Conte.”

Chelsea FC have won the Premier League title in two of the past three seasons under Mourinho and his permanent successor Conte.

The Blues lost 4-1 to Spanish side FC Barcelona in the Champions League round of 16, while Chelsea FC lost to Arsenal in the League Cup last four.

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