Following his arrival from Gli Azzurri, Antonio Conte swiftly acted to denounce the plateau in Chelsea’s previous campaign under José Mourinho. With the investment of N’Golo Kanté, Conte purchased one of the highest-rated midfielders in the league, whose tenacity ensured he played an integral role in Conte’s now famous system.
A recruitment policy targeted at younger and higher calibre players was Conte’s niche. David Luiz returned from Paris; Michy Batshuayi joined from Marseille and Marcos Alonso arrived from Fiorentina. Conte’s emphasis was on defensive solidarity, which became increasingly apparent as the season progressed.
The success of the 3-4-3
Despite their supremacy, Chelsea struggled to balance the defence and attack in the early parts of the season, following an abysmal September which saw defeats to Liverpool, Arsenal and an uncharacteristic stalemate with survivors Swansea. The Italian addressed this problem with some mastery. 11 games, 11 wins, 25 goals scored and two goals conceded later, Chelsea moved to six points clear at the top of the table after changing formation.
The previous imbalance seemed rectified. Players such as Cesar Azpilicueta, a full-back by trade, looked to convert to a right-sided centre-back with ease, and David Luiz looked a new man following his time in France.
Conte’s ease in educating his players into a tactical system whilst allowing their talents to flourish enhanced the team as an outfit. Not only did his players improve; the transition from a fragmented 4-3-3 into a more fluid 3-4-3 seemed to be genius. It proved pivotal for Chelsea’s success.
Can they maintain this upward curve?
The lack of continental football with which to apprehend was a huge help to the team’s success last season. The increased intensity, combined with a hectic calendar of league fixtures, means continuity is a hefty task in today’s Premier League. Chelsea seem to lack strength in depth, particularly when compared to other title rivals.
Roman Abramovich cannot afford to keep his purse strings tight if Chelsea want to build a legacy centred around Conte’s foundations. Despite the early high spending this summer window, the only first-team signings thus far have been understudy goalkeeper Willy Caballero and Anthony Rüdiger, whilst rumours of Tiemoue Bakayoko continue to linger. Conte’s evident frustration towards the recruitment policy and the pace of Chelsea’s business could hinder early pre-season plans and tactical work.
Another factor to consider is the potential departure of potent, powerful and proven Premier League striker Diego Costa. 27 goals in 48 games in all competitions saw the Spaniard prove a key figure in the success of Chelsea’s title winning campaign. This potential sale, along with the failure to recruit Romelu Lukaku, a key target for Conte, leaves Michy Batshuayi as the main senior striker. Whilst talented, Batshuayi found games hard to come by last season, and it is surely too much of a risk to have him lead the line as Chelsea look to retain their title.
Referring to Costa as merely a ‘target man’ would be to do him a disservice. His scoring record of 52 goals in the last three seasons, coupled with how well he suited the new system, means he has been one of the team’s key players. Lukaku would have worked well as a replacement, and the failure to get him in epitomises Chelsea’s summer: not quick enough, not hungry enough and not attractive enough.
Despite the title-winning campaign, there is seemingly complacency around Stamford Bridge. With expectant supporters and a cut-throat owner demanding consistent success, this seems dangerous. After all, their squad is a year older, and competitors have greatly strengthened. What’s more, the strength in depth isn’t enough. Whilst being inundated with centre-backs, Chelsea’s potency and depth in attacking positions is scarce when compared their rivals.
Chelsea profited from a class in tactical excellence last campaign, but as Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho begin to build upon the underwhelming league campaigns they suffered, they could fall behind without new ideas. The weight of expectation is crushing. Champions deal with it; the rest get left behind.
Furthermore, Chelsea only have to cast their eyes north to witness the stagnant Leicester who rebelled against their title-winning hero and finished slumped in mid-table. Theirs was a very different scenario to Conte’s, but if he struggles with the weight of these expectations, it could break him.
The inactivity and passive recruitment policy must be stopped in order for the squad to perform with a competitive mentality. Winning breeds winners, granted, but complacency breeds staleness. Conte must strengthen his squad and retain the power which he holds, especially without John Terry as a go-between of the management and the playing squad.
Fortunately for Chelsea, the transfer window is still in its infancy. There is plenty of time to sort things out, but Conte’s leadership needs to be stronger, particularly with the added congestion in the fixture list next season. Evolution, not revolution, is needed. The club wants to retain its title, but they need to keep up with their rivals who are more than ready to prize away their crown.
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