Conte's 4-2-4 Formation Reveals Cause of Failure in Chelsea

Chelsea manager, Antonio Conte, admitted initially wanted to wear a 4-2-4 formation with his team. However, the strategy did not run smoothly and eventually switch to using the 3-4-3 tactics.

Since appointed as Chelsea manager on 4 April 2016, Conte was initially put 4-2-4 formation. It is seen while undergoing a friendly match in the Champions League International Cup in 2016. Of the three games, the Blues picked up two wins and only once lost.

The Italian manager was also implementing a similar strategy at the beginning of the season 2016-2017. As reported by Football lineups, Chelsea using the 4-2-4 formation in nine games in the Premier League and League Cup.

Of the nine games, Chelsea managed to get five wins, one draw and three defeats in swallow. One of those defeats was when surrendered 0-3 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on September 24, 2016.

Unstable performance makes Conte began to change the formation Chelsea. Since the game against Hull City in the Premier League on October 1, 2016, Conte tactics 3-4-3.

As a result, Chelsea were able to achieve five consecutive wins in the Premier League event and recorded clean sheets. They won 2-0 at Hull City, silencing Leicester City 3-0, Manchester United's humiliating 4-0, 2-0 win over Southamoton, as well as the latest beat Everton five goals without reply.

However, Chelsea's 1-2 defeat of West Ham United in game 16 of the English League Cup at the Olympic Stadium on October 26, 2016. These results make London Blue squad failed to penetrate the quarterfinals.

"I originally wanted to play a 4-2-4 formation. I wanted to start the season with these formations because you have strong players in the duel against each other, and I really like to play two strikers who are very close together. But I change it, "said Conte.

"I have to be honest, during the preseason when we started to prepare the team, there are 4-2-4 and 3-4-3 formations because this squad can play both strategies. I make changes because it gives us more balance, in the last case and attack, "he continued.

The positive result makes Chelsea are now entrenched in two Premier League standings with a gain 25 points, a point behind Liverpool who now rise to the top position.