Chelsea
have been the best performers in the Premier League this season and are
genuine title contenders, according to the
Sunday Supplement panel.
Antonio Conte's side stormed to the top of the Premier League with a
resounding 5-0 victory over Everton on Saturday.
Their rise to the summit has coincided with Conte's decision to revert to
his favoured 3-4-3 formation - a decision which has seen Chelsea keep five
consecutive league clean sheets.
And Jonathan Northcroft of The Sunday Times claims Conte's tactical shift
has turned Chelsea into the league's most attractive side, capable of
replicating the machine-like displays synonymous with Jose Mourinho's first
spell at the club.
"There is a whiff of the early Mourinho days at Stamford Bridge at the
moment," Northcroft told the Sunday Supplement. "The team looks like a
machine, as it did when Mourinho first arrived at the club. The players know
exactly what they're supposed to be doing.
"Nobody has won the league playing three at the back and this is the best
team I've seen play three at the back. It's not just the system, it's the
way Conte has the players buying into his philosophy.
"Eden Hazard is what he was two years ago, probably more so because he's got
even more freedom. It's really impressive management, he's only had 11 games
and Conte already looks embedded at the club.
"Chelsea have the squad depth the rival Manchester City - they've gone on
this run without Willian, Michy Batshuayi and Oscar really being involved.
"They don't have Champions League football, they look superbly conditioned
and they have a manager who refused to get carried away by the victory over
Everton.
"At the moment Chelsea have been better than City so far this season since
they changed system."
Everton manager Ronald Koeman claimed Chelsea were the best exponents of a
back three he had faced during his career as a player and manager.
While the Dutchman may have been trying to move the focus away from the
Toffees' poor performance, Steve Bates of the Sunday People was unyielding
in his praise of Chelsea, who he feels are now genuine title challengers.
"Everyone appears to have bought into what Conte has done and against
Everton they were absolutely devastating," Bates said. "Chelsea were as good
as Everton were shocking, they tried to match Chelsea's three at the back
and it didn't work, they were cut to ribbons.
"Chelsea look as though they've been playing in Conte's system forever, they
were so comfortable in it.
"While other teams are struggling to find a shape or an identity, Conte has
instantly given Chelsea something they haven't had since their first spell
under Mourinho. It was spectacular to see.
"There was a firework display above Stamford Bridge before kick-off but the
fireworks on the pitch were definitely more exciting.
"Chelsea have come under the radar a little bit with Manchester City and
Liverpool getting the headlines but they put down a title marker against
Everton. They have got to be taken a serious title contenders."
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