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After taking into account Chelsea's victory over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge, the Blues still trail Man United by three points and sit in second place. As they continue to apply pressure on the top two, after their 3-1 over the Magpies, Conte will be hoping for a consistent string of performances during the busy festive period.
Going into the new year, the defending champions would want to cut down the gap between leaders Manchester City and themselves. With Hazard peaking at the right time after recovering from his injury and Morata firing on all cylinders, the Italian manager will be eager for some more of his experienced players to turn up and lead the way.
A changed squad from last season, Chelsea are slowly beginning to grow as the season progresses. Four games away from the halfway mark of the season, Conte will want these five key senior players to produce consistent performances during the second half of the campaign.
As the Blues look to defend their title, here are five players who the manager will turn too and can boost the club's title bid this season but have underperformed this season.
#5 Cesc Fabregas
Spanish World Cup winning midfielder and two-time Premier League winner, Cesc Fabregas has struggled a bit to find form thus far this campaign. Since the departure of Nemanja Matic, the manager is still trying to figure out his best central midfield pairing.
With the additions of Drinkwater and Bakayoko, Conte does have options to deploy in the middle of the park with Kante. However, the former Arsenal captain is the most experienced and attacking minded player of the four at the club.
Fabregas has only a single goal and three assists to his name this season, after 14 games. The Spaniard will have to add more value to the team with his passing and experience, as the club look to defend their title.
The former Barcelona player is one of the club's most creative assets and will have to work harder to get the better out the player. Chelsea's lack of goalscorers across the team is alarming this season and Fabregas could help ease the pressure off the strikers by chipping in with a few goals.
#4 N'Golo Kante
French midfielder and two-time Premier League winner, N'Golo Kante is a vital player for Antonio Conte, in Chelsea's bid to defend their title. The Frenchman has found it challenging to gel with Chelsea's replacements for Matic and it has resulted in the Blues slow start to the campaign, as they sit 3 points off second place.
The defending champions need to pick up a string of victories to challenge the two Manchester clubs and if Conte can sort out his best central midfield pairing, it will boost their title aspirations. As Bakayoko and Drinkwater fit into the system and club, Kante and Fabregas need to up their game up a level and take charge of the situation, guiding the new players.
Kante well known for his incredible energy and work rate has to produce more output, as he has only a goal and an assist to his name thus far this season.
A crafty player with incredible heart, once Kante gets in his stride and stays comfortable with his partner in midfield, Chelsea's engine will be working at full tilt.
#3 Gary Cahill
Chelsea captain and England international Gary Cahill is a two-time Premier League winner and a Champions League winner. The Englishman is a highly experienced, strong defender who has struggled to find his feet so far this season.
Having made 10 appearances for the Blues this season, Cahill has been part of the team that racked up four clean sheets. However, the England vice-captain still needs to improve and step up his game. To lead the club, from the back, on the field and help and it's young and new players, Cahill will have to get used to the captaincy role.
With his contract running out in 2019, the England defender will need to put in a string of great displays this season in order to ensure his future at the club and possibly look to extend his stay. Cahill began the season with a red card, was slapped with a three-game ban and has found it hard to cement his place in the starting eleven post the incident.
The central defender adds great solidarity to the backline and is a veteran challenger in the race for the Premier League crown.
#2 Willian
With just a solitary goal and two assists to his in 14 Premier League appearances this season, Willian has struggled to find any form this league campaign. The Brazilian player is generally used on the right-wing for Chelsea by Conte, although he has been tried and tested in all attacking positions along with different players at the manager disposal.
As Willian is working his way back into form, the manager has heavily relied on Morata and Hazard for the goals. Although the club did suffer while Hazard was out injured during the start of the season. Widely tipped as the player who would take the season by storm this year, Willian has fallen short of expectations.
However, only just 14 games into the season, the Brazilian does have time to rediscover his form and has been provided opportunities by the Italian manager to showcase his skills. Last season the winger was annoyed with the amount chances he was given despite his great form but its a completely different scenario so far this campaign.
#1 Pedro
With two goals and two assists to his name, in 586 mins of playing time across 11 games, Spanish winger Pedro has failed to make a significant impact in the Premier League.
In what can only be described as a poor start to the season for a player of his calibre, manager Antonio Conte might look for reinforcements in January to bolster his attacking options. Pedro could have made his mark on the team during the start of the season while Eden Hazard was out injured and secure his spot in the club's starting eleven.
The Spaniard will be eager to find his goalscoring touch and be part of Julen Lopetegui's plans for a place in the Spanish national team for the 2018 WC. Pedro has to quickly rediscover his form and put in captivating shifts to impress both Conte and Lopetegui, as the second half of the season is just weeks away.
An influential player for the club in last season's successful title victory, Pedro 's experience and attacking ability will be crucial in Chelsea's attempt to defend their Premier League title.
