Chelsea needed a breath of fresh new year after a disastrous showing under Jose Mourinho and the blues have done just that by appointing Antonio Conte. The Italian will bring in major changes at the club starting with bringing his own backroom staff and then the most important changes which include new formations, new roles for the players and installing a winning mentality among the squad which is dented by last season’s showing.
In England, the 3-5-2 has not been that successful and has been tried by many including Louis Van Gaal and Brendan Rodgers. All have failed miserably but the reason behind it might be the application on how the system was implemented. Conte has shown the way by his success with that formation during his time at Juventus and now with the Italy national team. With the Bianconeri, he won three consecutive Scudetto and with the Azzurri, he guided them to the Euros with an unbeaten qualification.
Conte and Chris Coleman of Wales have been the standout managers this Euro and both of them have managed to do well with a squad consisting of not so many stalwarts of the game. A successful Euros was attained by Italy with a well-drilled team with a pre-decided plan and the team played just according to the plan. Chelsea will mostly play a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 depending on the situation as the Italian is adaptable and has played a number of systems in his managerial career. Expect the blues to play a number of systems under his tenure.
Conte is a disciplined manager and hard work is the only way a player can get into the team. Unlike many managers, he doesn’t see his players as his friends but is a strict manager and has a professional relationship on the field. His teams are always well drilled and strong in defense and there is no doubt that in a year or two, Conte will make Chelsea one of the best defensive units in Europe just like his Juventus team which once gone unbeaten in an entire season in 2011-12.
Conte left Juve because of his disagreement with the board over transfers because of money and now at Chelsea, the blues will make big signings every season and will try to reach the top quickly. He is very animated on the touchline and is constantly shouting to arrange his defense and guide the players. With Conte, Mourinho and especially Klopp going head to head next season, the fans can expect a battle on the field and also on the touchline.