Whilst Liverpool were being held 0-0 by Southampton, Diego Costa was firing Chelsea to the top of the Premier League table. Following a successful Euro 2016 Conte's Italy side surprised many as they reached the quarter finals of the competition only bested 6-5 on penalties by Germany. The former Juventus manager was announced as manager of Chelsea in April earlier this year, and took on the task of transforming a side that dramatically under performed last season and low on confidence following Jose Mourinho's toxic final season at Stamford Bridge.
As it stands the Italian is adapting well to his new role and integrating the 3-5-2 formation that delivered him three consecutive Serie A titles at Juventus.
Sideshow Bob Effect
After an unsuccessful pursuit of Napoli centre-back Koulibaly, #Chelsea sought a deadline day move to bring back David Luiz to the club in a £30 million deal. Deja vu surrounded his debut as Liverpool won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge mirroring Liverpool's 1-0 win the first time Luiz debuted for the club. His move was heavily criticised with Paul Merson stating that the Brazilian isn't good enough for Chelsea "David Luiz? No, no, no, no, no. Did you watch him play against Monaco last week? He gave away the silliest penalty I've ever seen and PSG probably dropped him off".
Luiz has had a lot of convincing to do since moving back to England and he is fitting right into Conte's three at the back system, helping Chelsea to keep 7 clean sheets in the opening 12 games of the season. Luiz labelled as a 'loose cannon' hasn't put a foot wrong since his return to London and continues to impress. He is certainly getting his chance to right the wrongs following his mixed received first season at the club.
1-2-3
A system most recently seen in the Premier League by Brendan Rodgers whilst manager of Liverpool, Antonio Conte has adopted the 3-5-2 formation over his managerial career. With considerable success with the formation during a three-year stint at Italian champions Juventus, Conte took the formation with him to the Italian national team.
He set up his side as they (at one point) became surprise favourites for Euro 2016. A side which only had ex-Southampton striker Graziano Pelle as a notable forward, his form in the tournament earned him a big money move to Shandong Lueng. Now at Chelsea, it has taken some time for a side low on confidence following last season's exploits to adapt to Conte's formation and style of play. The system has had mixed responses in the big games, as Chelsea lost 2-1 to Liverpool then 3-0 to Arsenal and then hammering Manchester United 4-0 in an excellent current run of form. With three experienced centre-backs in Luiz, Terry, and Cahill, the system has the potential for success with three defenders allowing the attacking players free roam to cause damage to opposition defences.
Aided by the protection of Matic and Kante, Chelsea is starting to thrive under the system and now top of the league, with Liverpool and co. breathing down their necks; it will be a challenge to see if Conte's Chelsea can stay there.
