On September 24, Arsenal thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at the Emirates in a league match that saw Ozil and company tear the Chelsea back four to shreds. At half time, Conte decided to change the system to a back three, consisting of Branislav Ivanovic, David Luiz and Gary Cahill.
Although the Blues weren’t able to gain anything from that match in terms of a result, the roots of an idea towards a change in the system had already been planted into the minds of Antonio Conte.
From that match on, Conte opted for a 3-4-3 formation with new signing Marcos Alonso and previously overlooked Victor Moses as wing backs, giving width to the team and freedom for the likes of Eden Hazard and Pedro Rodriguez to cut in and assist Diego Costa in attack.
The change in formation not only brought them results but also brought about a resurgence of the team in terms of mentality and attitude.
The surprising resurgence of David Luiz and Victor Moses
The Brazilian defender left Chelsea for PSG in the summer of 2014 with Jose Mourinho managing to extract a record breaking transfer fee from the French giants for their new signing. It seemed like an excellent piece of business then but two years later, Antonio Conte has brought him back to lead the defensive line in his 3-4-3.
The footballer once referred to by TV pundit and former defender Gary Neville as a PlayStation footballer controlled by a 10-year-old, has re-emerged to become Chelsea’s best player in defence since his return to Premier League.
As the central defender in the Blues’ back three, Luiz has displayed incredible composure and defensive awareness that has helped Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta, playing on either side of him.
Another player who has benefitted from Conte’s 3-4-3 is Victor Moses. Having spent the majority of his Chelsea career on loan, Moses has established his career at Chelsea as a wing back this season. He has been a mainstay on the right flank and has displayed the versatility both in defence and attack to play as a wing back.
The “rats” of last season are now heroes
The likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa were labelled as ‘rats’ by the Chelsea supporters following the controversial sacking of previous manager Jose Mourinho last season. Chelsea ended a dismal Premier League campaign in 10th position, and quite a few players were held responsible for the midtable mediocrity put on display by Chelsea throughout the season.
It’s been an unbelievable change in form and fortune for the Chelsea players this season. Diego Costa is a different player altogether on the football pitch. The forward who looked lethargic and uninterested last season has already notched up 11 goals and five assists for the season.
The Spain International is on the verge of a one-match suspension for accumulation of yellow cards but has not seen yellow since October. All traces of violent conduct and irresponsible behaviour on the field have been erased thanks to the manager and the player himself.
Although Cesc Fabregas hasn’t played much under Conte, he managed to come in and play a major role in getting the better of Manchester City on Saturday in the absence of the pivotal Nemanja Matic in midfield.
Eden Hazard has launched himself to another otherworldly level of class and skill this season, with the Belgian reminding the world why he was the Player of the Year in 2015. With Marcos Alonso shielding the left flank, Hazard has revelled in a free role of sorts along with Pedro, who was yet another forgotten man last season.
Attention Premier League! The 3-4-3 is the new 4-2-3-1
Chelsea’s 3-4-3 is here to stay. Back when 4-4-2 was the standard formation used by most teams came Jose Mourinho’s 4-3-3. Years later, teams started setting themselves up in 4-2-3-1.
Conte might not be the first one to try out the formation, but he is certainly the first manager to use 3-4-3 to such degree of efficiency in the Premier League. The central position at the back that Luiz occupies restricts his risky forays forward but makes use of his passing range and vision.
Cahill, while lacking pace, provides the experience and the positioning required as the left-sided centre-back. Azpilicueta, being a naturally versatile player and a right back, takes care of David Luiz’ right-hand side.
The supreme tackler Kante and the beast in Matic form the midfield pivot, guarded by Alonso and Moses on either flank as wing backs. This also allows more creative brains of Hazard and Pedro to combine with a hungry looking striker in Diego Costa.
Premier League will have to get used to and counter the 3-4-3 since more teams have started using the three-man defence as a way to counter opposing team’s ball play. City have already used it in the past and are still going into matches with it. Watford, Spurs are some of the other Premier League clubs that have used the formation this season. It’s beginning to catch up, to say the least.
Chelsea will find it difficult once teams figure out the shape but given the quality of players at their disposal, they have everything it takes to overcome that challenge and reach out for that Premier League trophy that seemed so unlikely and impossible at the start of the season.
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