Antonio Conte’s 3-5-1-1 formation, partly a result of dissatisfaction with the replacements for Matic, has played a big part in the club’s declineIf there was a moment when, symbolically at least, last season’s title race tipped decisively the way of Chelsea, it came 12 minutes after half-time of their game at Manchester City in December. City were leading 1-0 when Kevin De Bruyne, four yards out and with the goal gaping, slammed a Jesús Navas cross against the bar. Within three minutes Chelsea were level through Diego Costa and, as City lost their heads, Antonio Conte’s side went on to win 3-1.That game was 15 months ago, yet it may as well have been a lifetime. It is not so...
February has often been a cruel month for Chelsea managers and defeat at Watford surely signalled the end for the ItalianAntonioooo. Antonio. Antonio, Antonio, Antonio. And repeat to fade.Chelsea’s travelling support had made their own loyalties clear from the first whistle, kicking off this fun, slightly hysterical game with a sustained chant in support of a manager who has always found that connection with the stands, who at times seems as fevered, passionate and all-round mad-as-bats as even the most committed fan. Related: Gerard Deulofeu inspires Watford to runaway win against 10-man Chelsea Related: Antonio Conte rejects Italy talk: ‘My intention and will is to stay at Chelsea’ Continue reading...
Chelsea’s manager was out-tacticked by Arsène Wenger in the defeat at Arsenal and what once might have been an acceptable season is anything but in this time of super-clubsAntonio Conte’s reign at Chelsea, or at least the meaningful part of it, began with a half-time switch to a back three at the Emirates, and it feels a lot like it has ended with the same. The Champions League could yet save a drifting season – memories of that win away against Atlético have not entirely faded – but it was the feel of Wednesday night that was so damning. When, after all, was the last time anybody was out-tacticked by Arsène Wenger?It was at half-time in the 3-0 defeat away...
The Chelsea playmaker is back in the thoughts of Antonio Conte and making the most of the situationFor the opening 55 minutes at the Emirates this was a bitty, fun, meandering game, an odd mix of sublime moments of skill, bruising collisions and clodhopping errors. From a Chelsea point of view there will be major regrets that a period of first-half dominance wasn’t converted into goals. Above all Antonio Conte will be frustrated that a performance of sublime playmaking on the left of midfield from Cesc Fàbregas wasn’t rewarded with greater incision in front of goal.Fàbregas didn’t just pass the ball better than anyone else, he did so with a style and grace that came from a different place altogether....
It took a while but the Manchester City manager has conquered England with a football that is not merely beautiful but also dominant. The question for 2018 is: can he now do it in Europe?The year ends with Pep Guardiola ascendant, his juego de posición, evolved over time and amended and slightly repackaged for England, cutting a swathe through the Premier League, just as it overwhelmed all in La Liga and the Bundesliga. There will be the usual complaints about how much money has been spent and, more pertinently, about the origin of that money, but English football has never seen anything quite like this.When Guardiola was winning two Champions Leagues in three seasons at Barcelona, their style became hegemonic. There...