This article first appeared in the May 2017 issue of WGM.
Having been touted as the battle of the super managers before the start of the current Premier League season, it is Chelsea’s Antonio Conte that has shone brightest with his Blues side looking unstoppable in the run home to the title.
Chelsea were clearly not favorites for the Premier League title when the 2016/17 season began in September. Although they bought four new players for a combined fee of £113 million, the two clubs attracting all the attention were from Manchester – and for obvious reasons.
At Manchester United, the arrival of Josè Mourinho coincided with the club luring two of the world’s best players in veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimović and French star Paul Pogba. And across town, Manchester City’s big play was attracting Europe’s most sought after manager, Pep Guardiola, from German giants Bayern Munich.
Antonio Conte, on the other hand, was a coach who had yet to prove himself outside his home country of Italy. Yes, he led Juventus to three consecutive league titles and yes, it’s also true he had valuable experience coaching the national team, but neither Serie A nor the Italian national team boasts the same magic aura as the Premier League. Conte, it was said, would need time to settle and his three defender system might not work in England anyway, as evidenced by the failings of clubs like West Bromwich Albion before them.
As it turned out, Conte did need time to settle – one-anda- half months to be precise. And having begun by sticking with Chelsea’s old 4-2-3-1 system, it was the switch to 3-4-3 following a modest start of three wins, two losses and a draw from their opening six games that kick-started the Blues’ streak of 13 consecutive league wins – a Premier League record. Chelsea conquered title contenders Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Manchester United in the process, their 4-0 demolition of United particularly impressive. The blue Italian machine, with solid organization across the field complimented by the formidable attacking trio of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Spanish winger Pedro, has proved too much for most sides to handle.
Diego Costa
It was believed that Conte had all these tactics in mind upon his arrival, as his recruitments fit into his preferred formation and philosophy perfectly. David Luiz, a player who was famously compared by Gary Neville to, “a 10-year old in the crowd on a PlayStation,” rejoined Chelsea on the final day of the summer transfer window and is now the center of Chelsea’s defensive three. The Brazilian has greater license to sweep under Conte, making far fewer tackles than in any of his first three seasons with the Blues. Diving less, dribbling less – all of these changes have made him a more mature and reliable sweeper than previously.
In the two wing back positions, both Victor Moses – who was never given a decent opportunity under the club’s previous managers – and summer recruit Marco Alonso have proved to be wonderful additions this season. N’Golo Kanté, another summer buy, has provided quality protection for the back three. The manager knows well that Kanté’s playing style, which sees him utilize his wonderful anticipation and cover plenty of turf, means he can shield the backline as an additional defender when the team is under attack – particularly when the two fullbacks can’t recover in time.
In attack, Michy Batshuayi was brought in to give Diego Costa, who largely underperformed last season, some competition. Ironically, while Batshuayi has struggled with injury, Costa has suddenly rediscovered his shooting boots this season, scoring 17 league goals in 30 matches.
Ultimately, Conte’s incredible impact at Chelsea saw the London club put a huge lead on the rest of the field long before either of the Manchester clubs could react – and with the finish line fast approaching only Tottenham remain within striking distance.
Any unforeseen disasters aside, the Blues – without the distraction of Champions League football thanks to their poor performance last season – seem to be unstoppable.
