The Blues are riding high on a four match winning streak in the Premier League after beating Southampton 2-0.
The talk of a meltdown following two successive defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal have been banished after their rampaging run. The thrashing of Manchester United last week was followed by a tough away game at Southampton. The result stayed the same though, as the Blues seem to be a rejuvenated side under the aggressive Antonio Conte.
Chelsea have Moses on their side
One of the players who seems like a new man under the former Juventus manager is Nigerian winger turned wing-back Victor Moses. The 25-year-old was earlier a long time member of the Blues loan army, but Conte handed him an opportunity and he has in turn impressed the Italian in his new role.
“I think Moses is a great surprise in this aspect because we know him as a winger, but I think he’s playing in a fantastic way,” Conte said after the Saints game, according to the Daily Mail.
The Italian manager likes to play two wing-backs alongside a three man defence, and he went on to stress on the importance of this role in his tactical set-up.
“I think that this role is very important in this system,’ Conte added. ‘You must have good stamina and quality to play as a wing-back. I ask my wing-backs to do offensive and defensive duties.”
A strong midfield is the key
However, it isn’t just the wing-backs who are shining for Chelsea, as the manager has even managed to tweak the midfield into one of the best in the league. N’golo Kante and Nemanja Matic are playing brilliantly in central midfield, and it’s no wonder that Cesc Fabregas can’t get a look in.
Manchester United legend and current Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was quick to point this out in his analysis of Chelsea’s performance during the weekend.
“I’m seeing Chelsea players do the right things, staying with their runners, and they’ve got two very, very good central midfield players from a defensive point of view, they’ve got a wonderful ability to read the game and fill in the gaps,” said Neville on his podcast, according to Sky Sports.
“Are they the finished article? Probably not, but I wouldn’t rule them out of the title, because I don’t trust the others enough to think that Chelsea can’t win it.”
Gary Cahill feeling the change
All of this change comes at a price though, and club veteran Gary Cahill recently spoke about the tough training regime under Antonio Conte. The Englishman has given the manager his vote of confidence though, and wants the players to believe in the new system.
“Change can sometimes be a good thing or a bad thing, but you have to buy into it and work hard on what he wants,” said Cahill, according to the Mirror.
“He’s had success in the past and he’s brought the ideas that he strongly believes in to our club now.”
The 30-year-old has won the Premier League, Europa League and Champions League with Chelsea. The veteran Blues player is still adopting to his new role though. He has stated that his work-rate has increased under the new system, but it is ultimately worth it.
“I feel like I do more running,” he said.
“I have to come inside as well as go outside when we go out wide so I’m covering more ground. But I am enjoying it and ultimately it is working for us as well. The last four games have been brilliant.
