DYC.

Love seeing Utd failing like this. Please hit the panic button. I saw Pogba was subbed after 30 min. Please tell me it wasn't because of an injury?

ZOS is right. I don't care how good the results are right now, Chelsea's use of the ball has to improve. That doesn't mean aiming to keep 60%+ possession but to not give the ball away cheaply and pick moments to keep the ball. Failing to do so will eventually hurt you because it's quite tiring having to chase the ball and you can make mistakes. And I'm quite sure Conte knows that as well. Conte did the right thing. Things weren't going well so he fixed the defence and the off the ball positioning. That's where it starts. Chelsea exude more confidence now and teams won't feel as confident of going at Chelsea. Now you start to improve the play on the ball. Unless Conte is going down the Atletico route but I think a more controlled approach is needed to achieve sustained succes.

He can't be the next Thuram because Thuram was a right-back (who could play in the centre but a fullback first). He shouldn't walk into the side but he deserves a chance. He's HG and he's an academy graduate. Players like him should be coveted as he could be the first graduate to make it in the starting XI since JT, who made his debut almost 20 years ago. Look at how Stones' Englishness and HG status made him so extremely expensive and receive more praise than he deserved. Chelsea already have 'no nonsense defenders' in Azpilicueta, Zouma and Cahill. Even David Luiz fits that bill in a way with his physical and aggressive style of defending. A trio of Azpilicueta, Luiz (in his current level-headed form), Christensen (if he does well) is pretty complementary. And Christensen is at that age where he can still be molded in his style of defending and grow physically. Conte should love that as he seems to be a genuine coach.

I love Corentin. I'd jump for joy if Chelsea signed him.

No, Fabregas is not on his level. Pirlo was better at finding space for himself, possessed more magic, is a legendary set-piece taker and Fabregas never impressed as much in major tournaments like Pirlo did in WC '06, Euro 2012 and a couple of CL campaigns. Cesc played a part in the succes of his country but as an impact sub. Chelsea's title win in 2015 was the only time he played a starring role in a winning team.

Pirlo was a top, top player but the influence of Marchisio and Vidal on his ability to shine for Juve can not be underestimated. When you talk about genuinely all-round midfielders, offensively and defensively, and not lacking in any area (especially back then when they were a bit younger and in prime physical shape), those two were right up there. Allowing Pirlo to leave turned out to be big a mistake on Milan's side but the decision to let him go at the time was not nearly as outrageous as many make it out to be. Pirlo wasn't performing like a top player for Milan for a few years and the drop of quality around him in midfield played a big part in that. Less protection made him a lot more vulnerable and a lot less decisive. Vidal and Marchisio played major factors in his revival. I disagree with the notion of him being brilliant under pressure btw. Pirlo was always vulnerable under pressure. Not like Fabregas but still. It's the reason why he played so deep. What set Pirlo apart and made him crucial and world-class despite his weaknesses was his prowess from set-pieces.

I think people underestimate the importance of the shape. Moving to a 3-5-2 exposes you a lot more on the flanks defensively while it makes you more predictable when attacking. I'm not saying it won't work but there is absolutely no need to force Fabregas into the side because the team is functioning well. When Barca bought Fabregas he was initially forced into the team by Guardiola as well. But it messed up the balance and shape and he was eventually dropped. The team was stronger without him in it. While Pedro and Willian aren't flashy and can be frustrating on the ball, they play an important part to form the strong unit we are currently witnessing. That trumps the occasional individual brilliance Fabregas can provide right now. What I would like to see is Conte continuing using him as an impact sub like he did earlier in the season. He proved very useful in that role. There hasn't been a need for him in recent weeks so his absence makes sense. Fabregas, Willian/Pedro and hopefully Batshuayi could provide Chelsea with some potent weapons off the bench. Something we haven't been lucky enough to have in the team in a long, long time.

Puyol was indeed blessed with stupendous athleticism and power (not to underrate Cesar in those areas). But they both share that wonderful aggression and determination.

THAT GAME WAS AWESOME

That would be awesome. Both Spanish. Both 1.78 m. Both have first names starting with a C. Just need to take out his barber.

According to Goal.com, never in the league for Chelsea. http://www.goal.com/en/news/1862/premier-league/2016/10/31/29026982/hazard-is-now-a-striker-thanks-to-conte

He played there when he was very young but moved up the pitch as he got older. He played his best season for Arsenal as a #10 in 09/10. Back then Arsenal fans were yelling he's better than Lampard because he also added goals to his game (to be fair, he was truly amazing that season). As for the Pirlo comparison, if Fabregas truly was a Pirlo clone, you'd think Conte of all managers would see it. And the Serie A isn't the PL, the Pirlo role is probably (far) less effective in English football. Besides, bar being slow and delivering precise long passes, they're not the same.

Porto's Layun would be the perfect Jan signing. An experienced, two-footed player who has experience playing on both flanks. So he could initially deputise for both Moses and Alonso while adjusting and settling in a new country. But eventually he'd compete for a spot in the first XI because he's a good player. Good pace, energetic, decent overall technique (former winger), very good crosser and takes set-pieces. Chelsea are covered at the back with the current back three + Zouma, Ivanovic and Terry (Chalobah). Quality centre midfielders and forwards won't be available in the winter so you leave that for the summer. Jan isn't the time for marquee signings anyway because most players fail to make the necessary impact as they need time to adjust. Though a versatile forward would be welcome. A player who can play up top and as a wide forward. Solanke is not a serious option and just Costa and Batshuayi is not enough. One (mildly) serious injury and you're left with just a single striker. Bring back Aké and Kenedy for cover and sell/loan a few players (Oscar, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek) if possible. I would never sell Cesc in the winter. He can be useful this year. So yeah, a wingback (Layun) and maybe a forward (I've always liked Arnautovic for that role though an U-21 and/or HG player would be ideal) in the winter window is enough. And bring in a left-footed wingback, centre midfielder and a right forward in the summer, along with the return of Christensen. Raphael Guerreiro (LWB), Tolisso (CM) and James (FW) would be my choices. The first two are brilliant talents and James, despite the recent dent in his reputation, is still an amazingly talented player. I'd pay silly money to bring in all three. Sure, I'd love the likes of Alaba, Verratti and Griezmann as well but that's not happening.

https://www.whoscored.com/Articles/sH-G4oPjuEyxbPJS8v0SNw/Show/The-Expert-Is-Moses-proving-to-be-Chelseas-perfect-wing-back Very true. Especially like the mention of Coquelin, that came out of nowhere as well. I would love for Moses to be the real deal. The team just need to prove this system is to stay.

He keeps improving and I'm very impressed by his attitude and dedication. Big, physical youngsters like Lukaku often ignore to work on their all-round game and just rely on that physicality which helped them stand out at a young age. But in Lukaku you see a player who basically ignores his limitations and keeps looking for ways to get better. You can see him maturing in his decision-making as well. He also wanted to leave in the summer but hasn't let that affect his form for Everton. The boy's a pro. Soon he'll reach Costa's level in terms of ability (arguably already there). The thing with Costa is he makes up for his technical deficiencies with his great energy and iron will. He's always moving and running and he takes on the responsibility to make things happen for his team. My question with Lukaku is whether he can offer something similar. That special quality that sets him apart. Without that, he'll always be criticised when things aren't going well when he joins a top team. Even Costa receives quite a bit of criticism. But we'll see. He won't find a new team easily though, which was the case in summer. Only a few clubs can afford him now. Chelsea is not happening as long as Costa is at the club (and unless Suarez or Lewandowski is joining, I don't want him to go). Arsenal has Sanchez (football doesn't suit him anyway), City has Aguero and Utd have Ibra and two huge talents in Martial and Rashford. Liverpool is a no go. The elite three is covered and Juve has Higuain. Atletico would be perfect but can't afford him and Simeone is leaving 2018, making them less desirable for big names/talents.

The infamous 'Hazard isn't decisive, can't carry the team like player X, blah blah blah' crowd. Demanding him to shine every game. The team is currently less dependent on the individual brilliance of Hazard so let Eden just do his thing in quiet.

He hasn't been producing top defensive performances but he's done well. I guess that's good but I don't know. I can't help but look at him and expect more. But then again, there isn't much to complain about if he keeps performing like this. What I do very much like about him is his development as a leader. Didn't expect that. He's charismatic but that's not the same as being a leader. But he's showing he has a bit of that in him and that's something Chelsea definitely. Prevent the silly mistakes and lead by example and he should be taken very seriously by his team mates and his opponents. Read somewhere the pundits were actually positive about him. I hope having to admit that didn't cause them to get an ulcer..

I have to credit Mourinho. Chelsea had a problem at LB in 13/14 and Mourinho fixed it by playing Azpilicueta there. The problem with Azpi at LB was that it should've been a short-term fix.

Yes.

Azpilicueta running things at the back again. This role suits his qualities perfectly. Mose bossing the wingback role yet again. He's no Dani Alves or Cafu but he's fulfilling his duties on both ends of the pitch and his ability to carry the ball forwards brings a nice element of surprise. Big up, Vic. Kante is getting better and better, Honestly thought the level of his performances were exaggerated at the start of the season but he's looked like a top player in the past month or so. Fantastic ball-winning, his athleticism to cover so much space so quickly (always running back when attacked, recovering his position and slowing counter-attacks down). And then there's his surprisingly good passing range, distribution and ability to hold the ball under pressure. Every passing game he's proving he's much more than a ball-winner. Credit to Nemanja 'Stickman' Matic. Looking like a player again. It took him ages but it's going well. Still think Chels need an upgrade for the long-term but he's fine for now. Hazard has quietly been playing on a high level since the Euros. 15/16 is well behind him. I like the fact that things are quiet concerning him. Let him just go about his business. He created a lot chances today but that hasn't been the case for most of the season. Need more of that from him. But then again, he's scored five in ten and if he scores 20 in the league alone, it will be forgiven.

I'm going to fall in love if Kante keeps producing plays like that.

Uhmm Chelsea can't keep possession. That's going to hurt the team at some point. I love vertical passes but you can't play it vertically all the time. How often do we see the forwards receive the ball, only to dribble backwards or quickly pass it back? Possession is lost too cheaply. The team has defended well on the other hand. Shape is constantly on point and the spaces are well covered. Slight critcism, the ball isn't won high enough. Need another goal. Southampton could easily punish the team with all those set-piece opportunities. I think Conte would be wise to bring in Willian very soon.

I can't get too excited about this system. I'm fully enjoying the moment but it's only been three games. Chelsea are in a good place now and the form of many players has spiked simultaneously. But the true colours of this system will become clear when things aren't going well and teams start to figure out how to combat the new shape. I remember how Chelsea played 4-1-2-1-2 under Ancelotti at first and things were really clicking in the beginning. Great football coupled with great results. But then the team started to struggle a bit and everything went downhill quickly, and Ancelotti eventually reverted to 4-3-3. It will be interesting to see how the team and Conte react in a tough spell.

Can't deny the fact he's had some decent showings this season.

Golo only came into the picture well after the Radja deal (pretty much) died but both would've been nice. That depends. If the plan is to move back to a three-man midfield, then yeah. But if this two-man midfield is here to stay, then the team only needs one more midfielder (with the emergence of Chalobah).