Conte to weigh up Chelsea formation change

Antonio Conte says he will assess his squad before deciding whether to change Chelsea’s formation. 

Speaking at his first press conference at Chelsea since taking over at Stamford Bridge, the former Italy and Juventus boss was asked if he planned to deploy the same system he has used elsewhere.

Conte has previously played with three at the back and has been tipped to adopt the same approach this season. 

But he said: “Usually when I arrive in a new team I search to find the right position for the players.

“When I was in Italy, I liked to say that a manager is like a tailor and that you must build a dress – the best dress for the team.

“You have to respect the characteristics and the talent of the players you have, and then you decide.

“In the past, I have started a season with other teams, with one idea of football, and then I have changed it because I saw that system was not good for the players.”

Right spirit

Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair told West London Sport in April he believed some Blues players, including Kennedy, Branislav Ivanovic and skipper John Terry, could benefit from Conte using wing-backs and three central defenders.

But Conte insisted he would weight up his options before making a decision. 

“Three at the back is not important. For us, what’s important is the right spirit of the team,” he said.

“If we want to go back to competing for the title we have to give good organisation and good training.

“I think I can improve my players and I am sure that we can improve through a lot of work.”

Meanwhile, Conte also insisted that Terry remains a key player for Chelsea and will continue as club captain.