Conte finally has selection issues at in-form Chelsea

But Conte posited that their absence will only give him the opportunity to try out new tactics in the team. This is where having the appropriate personnel is a major requirement for the implementation of this formation.

Former England striker Michael Owen thinks Liverpool will pip current leaders Chelsea to the Premier League title.

Those Chelsea supporters needn’t have anxious. When he is fit, he is one of the best around and he has shown that over the years.

It has been a strikingly similar theme this season.

The Netherlands Under-21 worldwide has since started and finished the club’s last five games.

Conte began to work on the squad he inherited. For most players, that clarity is enough to keep you going. Their victims included Arsenal (5-1), Manchester United (3-0) and title rivals Manchester City (3-2). Michy Batshuayi and Cesc Fabregas are likely to be their replacements in the starting team.

“It is a good test for us because we play this game without two players who are very important for our team”, Conte said. “I think it’s good”.

Firstly, this isn’t actually the first time the 3-4-3 has been successful in the EPL.

It is successful against standard four-man defences simply because you win the numbers game in attack.

“Daniel has been frustrated that he hasn’t been involved but he has not let it affect him and around the place he has stayed happy and quite chilled”, Henderson said.

They have hit the woodwork a league-high 13 times this season, with four of those by Jack Wilshere. This is why discipline in wing-backs to track wingers is of utmost importance.

The Cherries now have 21 points from 17 games and will be looking to get three points from their next game against the Blues in what would be a big upset. “If you asked me this before, I must be honest, it was a bit hard to trust to be top of the table at Christmas, but the players deserve this”.

The Reds should look to bring in two goalkeepers in my opinion, one who is just coming to their prime, and another who is young and has a lot of potential.

Chelsea star Oscar became the latest player to make a big money move to the Chinese Super League, after the midfielder signed a £400,000-a-week deal with Shanghai SIPG.

“I like him and have great respect for him”.

Club captain John Terry remains out with a gluteal strain. If you take your eye off the ball, that is when you encounter problems. Other than Chelsea, Mourinho’s men are probably the team most opponents would want to avoid right now. His form over the last 3-4 games is also better.

“It will be a tough game and the run they’ve been on has been really impressive”. For sure, they are two important players for us.

The question remains: how far can Conte take this team?

Both games are at the KC Stadium, which is the least popular ground in the division and has on average been less than 80 per cent full for the Tigers’ home games this season.

He also explained the impact of being out of additional competitions this season; no Champions League means that Chelsea are able to avoid midweek fixtures to focus fully on the Premier League.