Conte happy with Chelsea system

Antonio Conte has insisted the midweek defeat at West Ham has not changed his view that 3-4-3 is the best formation for Chelsea.

The Blues boss, who favoured three at the back during his spells in charge of Juventus and the Italian national team, changed Chelsea’s system following defeats against Arsenal and Liverpool.

Having previously been vulnerable at the back, his team looked much more solid – but there were more defensive lapses during Wednesday’s EFL Cup loss.

But Conte said: “It’s not a win or a defeat that can change my idea or the confidence of the players.

“I think it’s the right way for the players and a good fit for the team. I think we’ve found a good balance.

“For sure we must continue to work on offensive and defensive situations. When you defend with four it is different to defending with three.

“But I am seeing a lot of positive things and I want to keep working. I think this way is the right way.”

‘An important player’

Skipper John Terry, so often the bedrock of Chelsea’s defence, had a poor game against West Ham on his return from injury.

Conte was reluctant to discuss defender’s performance when asked about it at the Italian’s pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s match at Southampton.

“I must be honest, in this aspect I don’t like to talk about an individual player’s performance. We win together and lose together,” Conte said.

“John came back from injury and it is not easy to then quickly find the right shape.

“John is an important player for us, whether he plays or doesn’t play, for the dressing room and the club.”