Kante the key to Conte’s changes – Dyche

Burnley boss Sean Dyche believes the signing of N’Golo Kante has allowed Antonio Conte to change the way Chelsea play.

Kante was a key member of Leicester City’s title-winning squad last season, before joining Chelsea on a five-year deal this summer.

The Frenchman’s energy and workrate has allowed Conte to switch formation, from a 4-2-3-1 to 4-1-4-1, and effectively add an extra man to the attack.

After watching Kante put in a superb performance against his side in a 3-0 victory, Dyche said: “I think they’ve changed their gameplan, Chelsea.

“We saw the videos and did a bit of analysis on them. The full-backs tuck in more, the wide men are asked to do a bit more work.

“That’s a difference the manager’s made, with a back five and a front five – they separate and leave the one in the middle which is Kante, who covers every inch of the pitch.

“It’s handy to have that player in there I think.”