Roman Abramovich held positive talks with Antonio Conte last week — report

Talking about £150-200m shopping sprees is a bit trite and cliche these days, considering that one has been rumored since about September and since then, Chelsea have spent a grand total of £0.5m while raking in almost another shopping spree’s worth of transfer fees for players such as Oscar and Bamford and Begović and Cuadrado and others, in addition to savings in wages thanks to departures of veterans like Terry, Ivanović, and Mikel.

At least for a change of pace, this time is the Times running with the story, not the usual suspects at the Telegraph and the Guardian. Does that make the spree story more true? Maybe. Though the only thing that will make it true is time, with Chelsea assuredly looking to make a couple signings once the calendar reads July. Fingers crossed.

Assurances of spending were just one topic apparently discussed in a meeting between Abramovich and Conte, a meeting that was tellingly and encouragingly initiated by the Chelsea owner perhaps in response to all the nonsense that was stirred by reports of discontent and unhappiness and veiled threats and ultimatums. Nowadays, only Mourinho-puppet Duncan Castles is running with such stories, but the Times assures that Chelsea remain confident that Conte will sign his new contract once he returns from vacation (that’s also in July). The owner and the head coach smoothed over the Costa episode as well, supposedly agreeing on a course of action (loan out if can’t find buyer), and had a jolly old time petting the petite giraffes as well. No visit with Abramovich is complete without a pet of the petite giraffes. Rules are rules, Antonio, and we all play by Roman’s rules.

The only danger at this point is that July has become so hyped up, it’s almost bound to disappoint.