Why Conte’s 3-4-3 works

​​​​​​​Antonio Conte’s switch to a 3-4-3 formation has been a huge success for Chelsea, with their 4-0 win over Manchester United further evidence of the strengths of their new system. Peter Smith takes a look at the impact of the change and why it’s working for Chelsea…

“I have to solve the situation,” Antonio Conte said, after seeing his Chelsea side blown away 3-0 at Arsenal at the end of September. “In every game, we are conceding two goals minimum. Two at the back, three at the back, four at the back, I don’t care. I just have to solve this.”

As it turned out, he was already well on the way to doing just that.

Midway through the second half at the Emirates, three goals behind and with nothing to lose, Conte switched from a 4-1-4-1 formation to 3-4-3. Chelsea haven’t looked back since.

After shipping nine goals in their four previous games – including damaging Premier League defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal – Conte’s side have put together three clean sheets, and secured wins over Hull City, Leicester City and, emphatically on Sunday, Manchester United.

The new system has given their defence a new-found solidity, with Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante protecting Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz, while, in attack, Eden Hazard has been relieved of his defensive duties, freeing him up to combine with Diego Costa in central areas.  

Since the change in formation, Chelsea are scoring more and creating more openings, while facing fewer dangerous shots and shutting out the opposition at the other end.

It’s a system Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville likes – but one he feels Conte has been forced to turn to, given the players he has in his squad. Indeed, the 3-4-3 appears to bolster areas where Chelsea are weak and maximise their strengths.

“I used to …

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