Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has given further insight into the three-man defence he has successfully deployed in recent weeks.
After back-to-back Premier League defeats by Arsenal and Liverpool, Conte decided to switch to a 3-4-3 formation.
Since then, Chelsea have claimed three consecutive wins, the last of which was a stunning 4-0 victory against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup fourth-round clash at West Ham, Conte told the Chelsea website: ‘The central defenders on the right and the left must be very fast and aggressive.
‘The players that play in the middle of the three defenders must be more tactical, must reflect more and find the right position, and also call the line up and down.
‘In these last three games we did very well. It’s normal when you play with the same players. They take confidence in the role to play together.
‘It’s important also for example in this game, the cup, to find a new solution. If you have during the season an injury, then it’s important to have a good solution ready.’
Conte, meanwhile, has demanded he is shown the same respect he shows others after Jose Mourinho’s apparent disapproval at his touchline antics.
The Italian is a man who kicks every ball and bellows to his players from his technical area.
‘I live the game with great emotion, with great passion,’ Conte said.
‘I think that everyone must show respect for me, for my work, for my job.
‘In every game I show myself. Not here, only one game. I have a history and you can see my history, my past and my behaviours on the bench.
‘I always show respect for the opponent, for the other teams, for the other club and my history speaks for me.’
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