Antonio Conte has turned things around drastically with his 3-4-3, something we knew he specialized in. After having tried a shape that the players were familiar with and giving them the benefit of the doubt, the majorly unfavorable and mostly unappealing style of play which saw some key players struggle probably tilted the tactics towards an inevitable change.
The thrashing from Arsenal was the wake-up call that accelerated this change and pushed Chelsea towards a new shape, a shape that has dominated the league having 9 goals in the last three games.
What is new under this?
The first change was noticed in the second half of the Arsenal game where, having started with a 4-1-4-1, Chelsea switched to a 3-4-3 in the second half and a difference was evident in that very half. Conte stuck to the 3-4-3 in the next three games having thrashed Manchester United in the process. The formation unlocked the freedom of some players and has thus benefited the team as a whole, ironing out wrinkles from defense to attack.
Moses and Alonso are key
The reason the team has been comfortable with 3 defenders at the back is the fact that Moses and Alonso have been absolutely brilliant in switching gears from attack to defense and vice versa. By protecting the team on the flanks, the midfield was solidified with the defensive mechanism of Matic and Kante, who, by far have been crucial in Chelsea’s key to a free attack.
Moses has been brilliant in threatening defenses on the break while Alonso’s impeccable ball delivery has been crucial, both on the flanks and during set pieces.
