After a whirlwind opening 11 games for Antonio Conte in charge of Chelsea, are we beginning to see a true interpretation of what the Italian will bring to Stamford Bridge?
These 11 games included a last-gasp winner in a 2-1 win against West Ham, a bruising 3-0 defeat at the Emirates and a submissive 2-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool.
However, since the drastic change in formation following the loss at the Emirates, the Blues have won three games on the bounce including a thumping 3-0 win against champions Leicester, as well as an emphatic 4-0 victory against title contenders Manchester United and the Blues are beginning to look like the team we expected them to be this season.
Conte suffered a shock 3-0 defeat at the Emirates and ever since that day Chelsea have reverted to a 3-4-3 formation with a change of personnel as well as style. We have since seen the summer arrivals of Marcos Alonso and David Luiz cement their places into the starting eleven as well as Victor Moses forcing his way into the side after appearing out of the abyss where many believed his Chelsea career would have been over. Moses and Marcos Alonso have appeared to be the perfect candidates to play as Chelsea’s starting wing backs as they offer more athleticism and attacking threat than both Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta. The change in system has paved the way for the two to become first team regulars and have both been extremely impressive since they pushed their way into the side.
Moses and Alonso have appeared to be the perfect candidates to play as Chelsea’s starting wing backs as they offer more athleticism and attacking threat than both Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta. The change in system has paved the way for the two to become first team regulars and have both been extremely impressive since they pushed their way into the side.
Not many people would have envisaged Azpilicueta as a centre-half for Chelsea at the start of the season. However, with Moses offering protection as well as a direct attacking threat, Azpilicueta seems perfect to fit the role of a right-sided centre-half. The 4-0 victory against Manchester United highlighted Azpilicueta’s excellent positional awareness as well as composure when under pressure. He looks comfortable playing on his stronger foot as oppose to playing on his weaker side as a defensive left back. Azpilicueta’s performances have been somewhat overlooked in recent games, but he is really thriving in the new role he has been given partnering David Luiz and Gary Cahill to form Chelsea’s three-man defence.
Finally, the new system has given one man the freedom he needs to thrive in an exciting and attacking line up. It has unshackled him as he looks to regain the form that the Stamford Bridge faithful fell in love with. That man is Eden Hazard. He was tied down with defensive duties during Jose Mourinho’s tenure and he looked like he wanted to be unleashed so he could become the creative master that makes football fans purr up and down the country.
The new system has allowed Hazard to move more centrally when the game needs him to create a moment of magic as well as giving him the opportunity to stay wide when the game needs to be stretched. His relationship with Alonso continues to go from strength to strength as well as his combination play with Diego Costa. Hazard is beginning to look the hungry, creative goal scorer he once was, this can only be good news for Chelsea fans.
The new era at Chelsea appears to be well underway with the Italian beginning to implement his ideas across to the side. With players such as Kurt Zouma and John Terry to come back from injury, as well as the continuous development of players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Michy Batshuayi, Ola Aina and Nathaniel Chalobah, the Blues could be in for a thrilling season that might see the return of some silverware to West London.
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