Following a string of underwhelming performances – dating back to last season – someone has finally dared to drop a healthy Branislav Ivanovic from Chelsea’s starting eleven for a Premier League match.
Antonio Conte reverted to his preferred three-at-the-back formation against Hull City on Saturday, and the results were quite pleasing as the Blues kept their second clean sheet of the season to snatch a 2-0 defeat.
The Italian left Ivanovic out of the squad, opting for a three-man back-line comprising Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill, while new-boy Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses played as wing backs.
With John Terry and Kurt Zouma soon to return, Ivanovic immediately seems less important to the Blues. He will be out of contract next summer, and it is expected that Conte will let him leave. However, Azpilicueta has backed his teammate to remain a ‘big part’ of the team.
He is our vice-captain. I have played with him since I arrived here four years ago and I know how important he is for us, the way he is working in every training session.
It is also a long season and we have to work together. This season is very important for us after the last season which was really disappointing.
Now its time to work together and I am sure he will be a big part of the team.
– Cesar Azpilicueta via ESPN UK
While the change in formation has certainly provided a boost, the Spaniard credits the discipline, intensity and passion put on display at the KCOM Stadium against the Tigers, and has urged his colleagues to keep on playing in the same manner regardless of the system.
The manager is there to try to choose the best formation for every game, but I think to make a good system first of all you have to work together, to run and fight together, play together then the system can make the difference.
Without this passion and playing as a team it is difficult.
You can play with six at the back or you can play with six upfront. This is the minimum that we have to give on the pitch, to be able to play different systems and do different tasks in every position for the team.
