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Chelsea Uncovered: 3-4-3 switch, best player named, £60m to spend, transfer plans revealed
OUR Chelsea man examines how Antonio Conte's side have done so far this season.
Antonio Conte has transformed Chelsea since arriving in the summer
Highlight
After a wobbly start to the season, new manager Antonio Conte made decisions quickly after successive defeats by Liverpool and Arsenal. Out went the old system, in came three at the back – and Chelsea won 11 games in a row to shoot to the top of the table. Highlight of that run was the 3-1 dismantling of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad. Ruthless football on the break.
Lowlight
The low moment was undoubtedly that defeat at Arsenal on September 24, which followed the worrying home loss to Liverpool. Chelsea looked all at sea defensively, lacked creativity in midfield, and were shot shy. A furious Conte changed things round at half time.
Diego Costa has scored 13 league goals this season
Best Player
Diego Costa – although several others, notably Cesar Azpilicueta and Eden Hazard, have been revived under the Italian. But Costa, out of sorts, unhappy and fractious last season and seemingly on the way out, has been a different player. Thirteen goals and some superb forward play have marked him out as the most in form striker in the Premier League. And he went ten weeks without getting booked!
Worst Player
Harsh title for this section as there have not really been any. A more apt heading would be those now not in the Conte frame. John Terry cannot find a place in Conte’s first choice line up, and seems unsuited to the three at the back system. Similarly Branislav Ivanovic’s days may be numbered. Oscar has already gone.
Eden Hazard
New Year Hopes
The title now – unlikely as that may have looked in August. Suddenly Conte’s men are the favourites.
Transfer Plans
Likely to be one or two incomings this next month, as Conte strengthens his hand for the run in. Long term targets are still Roma duo Radja Nainggollen (midfield) and Kostas Manolas (defender), but they are unlikely to be available until the summer – if then. Chelsea also want Monaco duo Tiemoue Bakayoko (midfield) and Djibril Sidibe (fullback), and will spend the £60m windfall they picked up from the sale of Oscar to pay for them. Also on the wishlist is Hoffenheim centre back Nicklas Sule, and Burnley defender Michael Keane.