Under Antonio Conte, Chelsea look a completely different team to the one that struggled under Jose Mourinho just 12 months ago.
After an extremely disappointing end to 2015, Chelsea’s hopes of defending their Premier League title had all but disappeared by the beginning of the new year, as the Blues turned to Gus Hiddink to save them from potential disaster. However, since the appointment of Antonio Conte in the summer, Chelsea have looked revitalised and rejuvenated, and are now playing some of the best football Blues fans have seen in the last decade.
Former Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink before the game
It was under Guus Hiddink’s second spell that Chelsea’s season, which had dramatically derailed under the now Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, started to finally turn around. At the beginning of the year, Chelsea picked up their first win under Hiddink with victory against Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace, followed later by a 1-0 win over Arsenal, which moved the Blues up into 13th in the league.
Diego Costa celebrates scoring the first goal for Chelsea
Under Hiddink, Chelsea were beginning to show signs of improvement, and over the course of February and March, the Blues continued to climb the Premier League table. Despite this, Chelsea unfortunately crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of French Champions, PSG.
PSG’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action with Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois
Bringing their disappointing season to an end, Chelsea stuttered to the finish line after going winless throughout the month of May, managing three draws and a loss. With Guus Hiddink departing the club for the second time, to make way for the then Italy boss Antonio Conte, Blues fans were happy enough to see the Dutchmen bring Chelsea’s season to a steady finish.
Chelsea’s John Terry sat in the stands as manager Guus Hiddink looks on
The blues needed a shake-up, and Antonio Conte certainly seemed like the right man for the job. After achieving multiple titles with Juventus, and arguably over-achieving with his Italy side at the Euros, Conte seemed like the perfect taskmaster to whip this faltering Chelsea side into shape over the summer.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte during the press conference
As well as a new manager, Chelsea also added a number of new faces to their squad, signing Marseille’s Michy Batshuayi, Fiorentina’s Marcos Alonso and former Blues defender, David Luiz, from PSG.
Chelsea’s David Luiz
Chelsea started the 2016/17 campaign in fine form, picking up three wins from three in August, with victories at the hands of West Ham, Watford and Burnley. Both Diego Costa and Eden Hazard picked up two goals a piece over the course of these games, and looked to be in excellent form for the Blues.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa celebrates scoring their first goal
But despite an early flourish of wins, things hadn’t quite clicked into place for Chelsea just yet. Over the course of September, Chelsea suffered two defeats at the hands of Arsenal and Liverpool, as well as drawing 2-2 with Swansea City. Despite the disappointment of these results, Chelsea did manage to beat the current Premier League Champions Leicester in a 2-4 away victory, thanks to goals from Gary Cahill, Cesar Azpilicueta and a late double from Cesc Fabregas.
Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas celebrates scoring their fourth goal against Leicester
Since the end of September, Chelsea have turned into arguably the most impressive side in the Premier League to date, going the entirety of October, November and December unbeaten. Emphatic wins such as the 4-0 home vcitory against Manchester United, the 5-0 win at Everton and the 1-3 away win against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City has earmarked Chelsea as the favourite for the Premier League title this year, leaving Blues fans excited for what 2017 might have in store.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte with Chelsea’s John Terry and David Luiz
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