THE FULL CONTE
Chelsea boss will never change on touchline... whether Blues are 5-0 up or 1-0 down
ANTONIO CONTE’S touchline antics have already made a huge impression on the fans.
And the news from the Italian ahead of this afternoon’s clash against Middlesbrough is: “Expect more of the same.”
Conte made it clear that he will not change – whether the game is goalless or, as against Everton, his team are five goals to the good.
The Stamford Bridge manager said: “I am the same. From the start until the end, I try to give some information to my players.
“And I try to stay with us during the game – when we are suffering or when we are winning.”
So his dervish- like dances down the touchline are here to stay – win or lose.
For the last six games, he has been celebrating victories as Chelsea have responded to defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal with five successive wins to maintain their title push.
And it has been a period when Conte has been surprised – pleasantly – by the way his team have adapted to new tactics. Conte arrived in England with the intention of playing 4-2-4. He then switched to 4- 3- 3 and finally decided on his three at the back formation.
He expained: “I must be honest, it was my idea to start with two forward players and two wingers.
“But we didn’t find the right balance. I tried to change to 4-3-3 to play with more in midfield. Then I changed to 3-4-3.
“The message to the players was very clear.
“When you arrive at the point where every game you concede chances, you have to change something.”
And change Chelsea did – as his men showed a flexibility in approach that many have believed was beyond English teams.
“I am surprised at the speed the team were able to change,” said Conte.
“It is not the same to play with four defenders and then three defenders. But the first two weeks we worked a lot.”
This was most apparent in the wake of the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal TREATMENT ROOM Middlesbrough: Chelsea: ODDS TO WIN Middlesbrough: Draw: Chelsea: in which Chelsea were dismantled in the first half.
“We changed it after Arsenal and before Hull City,” said Conte.
“I tried to change it to give more balance of fensive ly and defensively. This happened.
“Also because I see the players enjoy this type of football, this system. Every single player has his quality in this system.”
And no one has thrived more than Eden Hazard. The Belgium ace has revelled in the free role handed to him by Conte and has reproduced the form that made him the best player in the country two seasons ago.
“When we have the ball, you can see that he can have freedom,” said Conte, who has been impressed with the way Hazard has linked up with Diego Costa and Pedro.
The Italian added: “There is always a rotation of these three.
“Eden is working a lot without the ball but in a position more forward than before.
“I am seeing a lot of positive things for Eden – with the ball and without the ball. That’s important because to be a complete player, you must do both phases.”