Why Chelsea Look in Good Shape to Mount Title Push in 2016/17

When Antonio Conte was unveiled as Chelsea boss earlier in July, he spoke in the poetic way overseas managers often do.

Call it his tongue translating the romance of the Italian language into English; whatever it was, Conte’s expressions made his intentions sound all the more appealing.

“The coach is a tailor who must make the best dress for the team,” he said of his plans to restore Chelsea’s pride at his opening press conference. “Last season, in 10th was a bad season, but we must think to the present.”

The image of him putting Chelsea back together, stitch by stitch, feeds the romantic ideal of why he was employed in the first place. Conte’s arrived in west London as Chelsea’s saviour, but he’s not going to be sending them to the ball underdressed; he wants to see his team lauded for their beauty as much as they are for their brawn.

True to his word, Conte is already on track with achieving that task. Chelsea look in good shape for a title push next season—not because of money or a flurry of new signings but because of him.

The manager’s impact has been as rapid as it is impressive. In just over a fortnight, he has rearranged Chelsea’s squad and brought about a freshness to it. His players are eager to work for him, and we’re already witnessing a renaissance of sorts from forgotten men such as Victor Moses.

It seems Conte’s presence is proving infectious. Chelsea have been pleasing to watch in their opening few matches of pre-season under Conte, and they’re getting results on the back of it.

The rhetoric at Stamford Bridge has changed. Gone are the excuses and conflict of old, replaced by a more subtle, affable approach.

When Cesc Fabregas was sent off in the recent 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the International Champions Cup, the boss was quick to kill the controversy.

“I’m sorry for this and the player is the same,” he said at full time, per Charlotte Marsh of Sky Sports. “To the player, I said no excuses and I’m sorry for …

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