Defending the Premier League crown was never going to be an easy task. Ask the seven different Premier League teams before that. The last man to successfully defend the crown was Sir Alex Ferguson and his successful Manchester United side back in 2007-08.
The pattern has become even scarier since the 2015-16 season when the champions of the previous season not only failed to defend their crown but they performed so miserably that they finished a record low for any defending champion.
Chelsea began the season in a very shaky fashion after losing the Community Shield to Arsenal. Things became direr when they lost their opening match at home to Burnley.
The consistent list of injuries and suspensions to key players like Eden Hazard, Danny Drinkwater, N’Golo Kante, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas, David Luiz, Victor Moses and Alvaro Morata meant that Conte has been without the crux of his squad for much of the season. The players are slowly finding their feet back in the league but the lost ground looks difficult to recover.
After a brief period of stability, came another couple of defeats in the league and a humiliation in the hands of AS Roma in Europe. Despite winning games in clusters, they have been unable to repeat their last season heroics and it has left the Blues 14 points adrift of the leaders Manchester City at third place.
Chelsea face Southampton this week with Antonio Conte hoping to not drop any more silly points. The blues are virtually out of the title race but will look to solidify their third spot in the race for top 4 heating up.
Here is how Antonio Conte will look to line up his team for the match against Southampton.
Formation : 3-5-2
Defence
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will be expected to play in between the sticks. A back three of Gary Cahill, young Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta will be expected to man the defence for the Blues. Marcos Alonso will be expected to play as a left wing back with Victor Moses expected on the opposite wing.
Midfield
A three-man midfield can be expected with Conte opting for extra protection in the middle. Last match’ scorer Tiemoue Bakayoko will be playing on top of the midfield three with N’Golo Kante and Cesc Fabregas expected at the base of midfield.
Attack
A top two of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata will be expected with Hazard playing in behind and Morata spearheading the line.
