Courtois: Chelsea have “more defensive security” in 3-4-3 formation

Courtois: Chelsea have “more defensive security” in 3-4-3 formation

Thibaut Courtois insists that Chelsea have gained “more defensive security” since switching to a 3-4-3 formation.

Much speculation surrounded Antonio Conte’s system when he joined Chelsea this summer, having used a back-three to great effect with Juventus and Italy.

However, the personnel he had available with those teams was far superior to the Blues, in world-class centre-back trio Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci.

As such, Conte stuck with Chelsea’s back-four until the side were dismantled by Arsenal last month, as the Gunners’ attack ran riot during a 3-0 victory.

In the second half at the Emirates Stadium, with the game already lost, the Italian coach opted to test out his preferred set-up – and has since used it to great effect.

Indeed, wing-backs Marcos Alonso and Victor Moses have been drafted into the starting XI in the last three Premier League fixtures, all of which Chelsea have won without conceding a goal.

Courtois has suggested that he is happy with the move, as reported by the club’s official website.

The Belgian goalkeeper said: “We have more defensive security. Against Hull and Leicester I didn’t have to make many saves but against United I did, we’ve been defending very well.

“At the Euros I played for Belgium against Italy and Wales, who both used this system, and they were very difficult games.”

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