In late September, Chelsea were 0-3 down against title rivals Arsenal in the Premier League, and that is what has probably sparked a change, which makes them look quite scary now. The clock read 55 minutes when the fourth official picked up his board to signify Chelsea wanted to make a change. Marcos Alonso replaced Cesc Fabregas to give the side the Antonio Conte touch, as they went to three at the back, with wing-backs patrolling either side of the field.
Conte has tasted tremendous success with his 3-4-3 formation in Italy. Three Scudettos (Italian league tittles) in as many seasons with Juventus and guiding the lesser fancied Italian national team to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016, beating Spain along the way and only losing to Germany on penalties, is what Conte managed to achieve with this tactic of his.
As his first season as Chelsea manager began, the Italian started with a flat four at the back and the team looked in a spot of bother, failing to produce the desired results. What was worse was the fact that the side did not look to have the Conte touch to it. Despite Conte getting the players he wanted in the transfer window and playing the formation he believed suits his personnel, it was only when the Italian reverted to his preferred 3-4-3 style when Chelsea really looked like the team clubs dreaded playing against.
Going back to the tried-and-tested
Ever since Chelsea reverted to a 3-4-3 formation, they have gone on to win five Premier League games in a row and kept five clean sheets, while netting 16 times in the process. The three results that stand out are the 4-0 thumping of Manchester United, a 2-0 result against Southampton and the 5-0 drubbing of Everton. The only defeat came against West Ham in the League Cup where it was more of trials and tests for Conte.
Without getting into the tactical side of things and going by the results, Chelsea seem to have found a new lease of life with the formation. With the late arrivals of David Luiz and Marcos Alonso, Conte had dropped a big hint of him going back to 3-4-3. He played David Luiz at the centre of his back three, while Gary Cahill took to the left side, leaving Cesar Azpilicueta to control the right.
This not only changed the entire formation, but also Luiz’s role from the last time he wore the blue jersey. Luiz was Chelsea’s ball-playing defender – one who had a more dynamic role, rushing into challenges and running with the ball. Things have changed under Conte. Luiz, with his central positioning, has been given the role of steadying the ship and he seems to be enjoying the responsibility. He has not been at the end of many mistakes ever since his return.
Azpilicueta, on the other hand, owing to his technical superiority and prowess, has been the one playing the ball from the back most of the times and running forward with it – something he has done a lot as a right-back and even left-back at Chelsea. If we go onto the number of touches each had, the Spaniard overpowers the Brazilian by some distance, enjoying the lion’s share of touches in the backline.
The wings have been patrolled by Alonso and Victor Moses. The Nigerian, who was never a regular starter and constantly out on loan, seems to have fit into Conte’s plans and has been a key figure. With Conte’s new system, both Alonso and Moses have been given more freedom, which has also seen them involved in goals. While Alonso has scored and assisted one apiece, Moses has, too, been at the end of assists for Chelsea.
The front three of Chelsea finally seem to be getting into the groove and the system has helped them a fair bit. Hazard seems to have got back to his best, while Pedro finally is proving why he was the player everyone wanted while at Barcelona.
The 3-4-3 is working on all fronts for Chelsea
With Alonso and Moses making overlapping runs, Hazard and Pedro have got the freedom of getting in and playing through the middle alongside Costa, creating more chances and making use of their skill and trickery. Neither Pedro nor Hazard are the kind of players who are out-and-out wingers and just want to get wide and deliver crosses. Instead, both love cutting inside and making things happen in front of the goal.
This does not stop here. Ever since the change, Chelsea has managed to get more shots on target, while conceding less shots at their goal. They have not just scored more, but also created more key chances. Though the possession stats are relatively even, what they are doing with the ball now is something beautiful.
Putting all in perspective, the system seems to be working really well for Chelsea where the best of each player is being brought to the fore and the team is finally managing to terrorise defences. With Manchester City’s wayward form and Liverpool’s leaky defence, Chelsea are emerging to be the front-runners for the league title. If their players can sustain what they are doing or can even manage 80% of what they are at currently, they would be favourites to run away with the title.
For Chelsea, it has not been just about goals, but they have also managed to keep clean sheets. Though Liverpool too have had similar spells where they have looked fabulous going forward, their defence has leaked goals and remains an area of concern for them. For City, their free-scoring run seems to have had a halt. In addition to the lack of goals off late, apart from the four against West Brom, City have also given away easy goals at the end and failed to kill games. Two draws in three games seems to be a worrying sign for them and further puts Chelsea in the ascendancy.
Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur soon before meeting their strongest rivals for the title, Manchester City. If the Spurs game does not give enough evidence of their challenge, the City tie will surely put one team on the front seat.