Jose’s Chelsea v Conte’s Chelsea

One year after Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho, we look at the differences between his title-winning side in 2014/15 and Antonio Conte’s team.

Two years ago, Chelsea hogged the Premier League summit from the first day of the season and were three points ahead of Manchester City after 16 games with 12 wins, three draws and one defeat on 39 points.

This season, despite an underwhelming start under new boss Antonio Conte, the Blues are six points clear of Arsenal on 40 points after the same number of games with 13 wins, one draw and two defeats.

Following a disappointing September, Conte changed Chelsea’s formation to 3-4-3 against Hull in October and the Blues have won every one of their 10 games since.

But what is difference between Conte’s revitalised Chelsea and Mourinho’s title-wining side two seasons ago? 

Attack

Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have once again hit form this term, surpassing their key stats from the same stage in 2014/15 with 20 goals and six assists between them.

However, one notable deficiency compared to two years ago is a lack of aerial threat, which was provided in 2014/15 by out-of-favour John Terry and departed Didier Drogba.

Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer in July 2014 but was limited to eight starts and 856 minutes during the campaign.

During his limited game time, the Ivory Coast striker won nearly five aerial duels per 90 minutes, more …

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