Conte wants players to take credit for winning run

Boss Antonio Conte described himself as the “tailor” of Chelsea’s club-record equalling 11 consecutive wins – but said the players deserved much of the credit for producing on the field.

The Blues maintained their incredible run of form with a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

A year ago this week, Jose Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea after virtually the same squad was languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, perilously close to the bottom three.

Although Guus Hiddink steered the club away from trouble, Conte’s switch to 3-4-3 has produced a total transformation, with nine clean sheets in 11 games, and some dazzling performances from the likes of Diego Costa and Eden Hazard.

Conte said: “Before the start of the season, I said the manager must be a tailor, to try to find the right fit for the team.

“For me it wasn’t easy to arrive and to understand so soon the characteristics of my players and I needed a bit of time.

“You can bring your idea of football but if you don’t get the players following you, this is very difficult.

“The most important thing is their mentality. Also at work during the week – tactical work, physical work, technical work, analysis work – we touch on the different aspects to try and improve.

“This is my first season in England and of 17 games to win 14 is fantastic.

“I want the future to be special for us. The only way is to work.”

Conte added the win over Palace was as much down to hard graft as the quality of Cesar Azpilicueta’s cross and Diego Costa’s header, which proved the difference between the sides.

He said: “If you arrive here without the right concentration, the right focus, the will to fight, to go into battle with the opponent, you lose this game.”