There was a great deal of excitement, yet unknown, when it was announced incumbent Italy boss Antonio Conte had agreed to join Chelsea at the culmination of Euro 2016 in April.
Excitement in the sense that the Blues had found its permanent manager for the foreseeable future and secured a man with domestic success on the peninsula.
But immediate reservations from onlookers as to how his tactics, specifically his 3-5-2 formation, would work in the English Premier League on a weekly basis. That is assuming he keeps faith with the set-up at his new employer of course.
And it is expected he will, provided the appropriate acquisitions are made.
Implementing this system not akin to English football may be perceived as somewhat counterintuitive (especially at an entirely new club), but Conte is a coach that ensures the players fit the system, rather than using a system suited to the players.
Individual superiority in quality connotes to little if he feels it does not effectively contribute to the team’s modus operandi – even if the critics continue to question his philosophy.
Look no further than the manner in which the Azzurri lined-up in their matches in France and the overall selections for the tournament. Striker Eder started ahead of the undoubtedly more gifted Lorenzo Insigne or Stephan El Shaarawy, while Marco Parolo and Emanuele Giaccherini were favoured over Jorginho and Giacomo Bonaventura – the latter pair left out of the 23-man squad altogether.
But despite Conte’s selections catching the wrath of some fans at times, no one can argue or negatively scrutinise how Italy performed at the Euros. Pundits and journalists in Italy were labelling the squad prior to the championships as the ‘worst Azzurri team in fifty years’. But Conte proved the doubters and haters wrong, and extracted the best out of this team, testament to his phenomenal man-management skills.
During his time at Juventus between 2011 and 2014, his tactics yielded three consecutive Scudetti and revolutionised how the Bianconeri acquitted themselves, after several futile years.
However, Chelsea are not Juventus or Italy.
For this system to work at Chelsea, Conte will first and foremost have to convince the players – particularly the senior personalities of the squad. The likes of John Terry, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard instantly come to mind. That could be no problem since the 46-year-old is known for creating team unity and an environment where every person is valued no matter the size of the role.
With the Blues in recent seasons having traditionally employed a 4-2-3-1, a 4-3-3 or variations of the 4-4-2, the players must be patient and bury the hatchet over any initial qualms held.
In Conte, Chelsea possess one of the supreme tactical geniuses in the world. His stock has only risen following Euro 2016 too. He nullified the highly-fancied Belgium and reigning European champions Spain as well as taking World Cup winners Germany all the way to penalties, before bowing out of the tournament.
His obsession with tactics, discerning eye for detail and meticulous planning for games, combined with an insurmountable level of motivation are second to none. On occasion, he is notorious for his stubbornness and lack of making substitutes, but at the same time he is versatile and has utilised different formations with Italy and Juventus on the rare circumstance.
But given his ideal formation is a 3-5-2, how will he make it function and eventually prosper, following the aberration that was last season with the Stamford Bridge outfit?
After confirmation forward Michy Batshuayi joined the club, signing a centre-back apt in possession and shrewd at reading the game is the next point of business. Everton defender John Stones and Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli have both been linked with a move to the Pensioners. Either one would occupy one of the positions alongside Gary Cahill, John Terry or Kurt Zouma when he returns from a knee injury in a three-man defence.
Possible Chelsea lineup
Conte will likely retain the services of Cesar Azpilicueta and deploy him as a left wing-back, while Branislav Ivanovic faces competition from Juan Cuadrado for a place on the opposite flank.
Since the former Siena boss prefers work-horses over naturally-skilled individuals – not prepared to track back and do the industrious side of the game – an overhaul in midfield is a possibility.
Fabregas, who appears a shadow of his former self, may find it difficult to earn a starting berth. The Spaniard remains a brilliant passer of the ball, but lacks the defensive work-rate required under Conte. The midfield could contain a player in the form of Radja Nainggolan – a target of Chelsea – to anchor the midfield with Hazard, Willian, Ruben Loftus-Cheek or Oscar as the two advanced.
In attack, Diego Costa will likely partner Batshuayi or Hazard as a second striker in more of a free role, who could develop into a great foil for Costa.
Whatever transpires at the Bridge, Conte has a number of options at his disposal in order to return the 2014-15 Premier League champions into a genuine title contender and force in Europe again for the 2017-18 season.
One concern, however, is the players may not respond or grow weary of a manager that incessantly paces the technical area, shouting instructions for the entire 90 minutes. Yet it is these aforementioned attributes, such as his scrupulous preparation and galvanising ability, which are indicative of his winning mentality.
Unlike Jose Mourinho, his antics do not create off-field controversies and precipitate player revolts as reported last season.
Regardless, Conte has proven himself. If he cannot succeed in an environment like Chelsea – with the substantial funds at his disposal – the blame could fall squarely on the players as it will not be down to a lack of effort from the Italian tactician.
The most strenuous aspect of taking the reins in West London will be handling the differing egos in the dressing room. Whether or not the players are receptive to his demanding temperament week in week out, a la Mourinho last year, remains to be seen.
However, if the players are to buy into his way of thinking then Conte and Chelsea has the potential of being a recipe for success.
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