Conte: Playing without striker suits Chelsea

Embed from Getty Images

Antonio Conte says playing without an out-and-out striker suits Chelsea and makes life tough for opposing defenders.

Eden Hazard led the attack in the win at Huddersfield this week, supported by Willian and Pedro.

Chelsea have won all four matches in which Conte has played with a so-called false number nine.

“We played this way last season and I think this is a good option because you don’t give a point of reference to your opponent,” Conte explained.

“You can play, with your three players, very good technically and also very fast and very good one-v-one – creative players.

“At the same time, it is very important to have a good balance. If our three strikers want to sacrifice without the ball to give us the right balance then, yes, I think this could be a good option for the present and for the future.

“You have to have a balance or you risk losing the game, risk a counter-attack, and I don’t want this. I think my players know very well what I want.”