Soccer: How Chelsea and Antonio Conte Are Top of the League; How Spurs Nicked Three Points
- Zamaan Qureshi
- Jan 24, 2017
- 2 min read
Chelsea FC missed out on making history, January 4, 2017, when they faced Tottenham Hotspurs. Chelsea had been on a winning streak of 13 straight league wins and he streak ended by a resolute Tottenham. But the real question is how is Antonio Conte, manager of Chelsea, able to get those kind of results after only signing for the club last summer. The answer is in the old Italian formation
3-4-3. Conte brought his formation and Chelsea provided the personnel. The key is in the wing back positions. Throughout the season Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso have been key in Chelsea's system. Because Chelsea play with an isolated back three, the full backs work as defenders and attackers. So not only do Chelsea have the defensive cover, they also can flood the midfield because they have extra options. It was no secret Conte liked the 3-4-3 system, but he didn't implement it at first when he arrived at the club. As Arlow White, NBC Sports commentator said, Conte hypothetically said "alright, I've done it your way, now it is my turn to do this my way." Ever since then Chelsea have made the vital switch, they have carried on in their winning ways. Just as Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham Hotspur manager pointed out, Chelsea's great form is down to Alonso and Moses. When Chelsea came to White Hart Lane hunting for yet another 3 points, it was clear to see Pochettino had done his homework. And very boldly. Pochettino chose to match Chelsea's 3-4-3 with is own 3-4-3, despite never playing that formation the entire season until a week before the match. The last team to try and match the 3-4-3 was Everton who were torn to shreds by Chelsea in a comprehensive 5-0 winfor the Blues, earlier this season. The first half, the two sides pretty much cancelled each other out and the obvious congestion in midfield was apparent. There is no apparent single moment as to how Spurs got the better of Chelsea in the end, but Conte wasn't prepared for his own system, and that ultimately got the better of him.
