Chelsea have been in an amazing run lately, winning nine games straight for only the second time in the club’s history (last time was almost over a decade ago). Antonio Conte has already led his men to tactical victories past the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City, but Thierry Henry believes that the first real test is only now about to face the Italian.
So far Chelsea haven’t had to play more than mostly once a week for not qualifying to Champions League or Europa League last season, which has inherently helped the side with fitness and given Conte the chance to use the same starting line-up for many successive weekends. However, in December the schedules get a lot tighter and for example next week, the league is played twice.
Currently the Blues sit on top of the Premier League table with three points’ breathing space to Arsenal, who are placed second at the moment. The ex-Gooner Henry says that the real test for Conte is going to be the festive season, when there won’t be more than a few days in between games.
Listen, it is always a test in this league. We all know how difficult it is to play in the festive period. When I say that he has the week and he is not in the Champions League and Europa League and stuff like that, it is a massive help.
Other teams also don’t have the Champions League and Europa League, he’s obviously doing something good and being clear about what he wants in his plan.
You can name the Chelsea XI, back in the day you could name the Chelsea XI, the Arsenal XI, the United XI, whatever team you could. Now a lot of managers do rotate a lot and we’ve seen that last year Leicester were not rotating a lot.
Yes, you are going to tell me again they were not in Europe but it’s having the opportunity to work in partnerships at the back, in midfield and up front and haven the same keeper behind the back four does help a lot in terms of what you want to do.
Now is he going to change and trigger other stuff because obviously it is not easy to play in the festive period? I don’t know, that remains to be seen. But it does help to have the same starting XI on the field.
– Thierry Henry, Sky Sports
Chelsea will be facing Sunderland away on Wednesday evening and travel to Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
