One
year after Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho, we look at the differences between
his title-winning side in 2014/15 and Antonio Conte's team.
Two years ago, Chelsea hogged the Premier League summit from the first day
of the season and were three points ahead of Manchester City after 16 games
with 12 wins, three draws and one defeat on 39 points.
This season, despite an underwhelming start under new boss Antonio Conte,
the Blues are six points clear of Arsenal on 40 points after the same number
of games with 13 wins, one draw and two defeats.
Following a disappointing September, Conte changed Chelsea's formation to
3-4-3 against Hull in October and the Blues have won every one of their 10
games since.
But what is difference between Conte's revitalised Chelsea and Mourinho's
title-wining side two seasons ago?
Attack
Diego Costa and Eden Hazard have once again hit form this term, surpassing
their key stats from the same stage in 2014/15 with 20 goals and six assists
between them.
However, one notable deficiency compared to two years ago is a lack of
aerial threat, which was provided in 2014/15 by out-of-favour John Terry and
departed Didier Drogba.
Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge on a free transfer in July 2014 but was
limited to eight starts and 856 minutes during the campaign.
During his limited game time, the Ivory Coast striker won nearly five aerial
duels per 90 minutes, more than any other Chelsea player, scoring two
headers.
This season, Chelsea's leading regular forward for aerials is Diego Costa
with just 0.96 won per 90 minutes, despite being 6ft 2in, and the Blues have
not scored one header.
Elsewhere across the pitch, Chelsea are creating a similar number of
goalscoring opportunities and shots compared to two years ago.
However, Conte's Chelsea slightly edge Mourinho's team for goals scored and
goals from outside the box, with Costa (two), Hazard, Pedro and Cesc
Fabregas all netting long-range strikes this season.
Defence
Despite only playing three orthodox defenders since October, Conte's Chelsea
play deeper than Mourinho's side, completing more passes in their own half
and fewer in the opposition's half.
Conte's side produce slightly more crosses and dribbles than the Chelsea of
two years ago and enjoy an almost identical average of 55.11 per cent
possession.
N'Golo Kante's interceptions appear to be central to Chelsea's success at
playing the 3-4-3 system, as they were equally pivotal during Leicester's
fairy-tale campaign last season.
The France midfielder has already made 43 interceptions for Chelsea - more
than any other midfielder in the Premier League.
By snuffing out passes before dangerous attacks build, Kante has helped
reduce the team's need to win duels, tackles and saves, helping to boost the
Blues' clean sheet ratio.
Passing and work ethic
The only exception to Chelsea's deeper play emerges down the right flank,
where wing-back Victor Moses has become a regular in the side after four
years on the sidelines and out on loan.
Branislav Ivanovic and Willian occupied the right side two seasons ago but
Moses has helped increase activity and balance on the flanks.
Wing-back Marcos Alonso has helped maintain Chelsea's left-side activity
this season, the channel Hazard typically occupied in 2014/15 in front of
César Azpilicueta - whereas the Belgium midfielder has played a more central
role this term.
Chelsea appear to work slightly harder under their new coach this season,
covering 112.5km a game compared to 109.5km in 2014/15, and complete 535.3
sprints per 90 minutes compared to 475.5.
Conte's new system relies heavily on wing-backs Alonso and Moses running the
lines and Kante hunting down opposition and regaining possession.
The lack of aerial prowess in the box appears to be the Blues' only
deficiency this term as Chelsea, spearheaded once again by Costa and Hazard,
dominate the Premier League summit after 16 games - as they did two years
ago.
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