Martin Keown: What really impresses me about Chelsea manager Antonio Conte
The former Arsenal defender hails Antonio Conte's impact on English and European football since his Chelsea revolution
Martin Keown has credited Antonio Conte with widening the Premier League vocabulary as Chelsea close in on the Premier League title.
The Blues are sitting at the top of the Premier League table and 10 points clear of second-placed Tottenham Hotspur with 10 games to go.
The Premier League leaders switched to a 3-4-3 formation following Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to London rivals Arsenal at The Emirates back in September.
Remarkably, the west London side have only lost one of their last 22 games in the Premier League to keep Conte’s side on course in the title race.
The Italian has stuck with the same formation and players for most of that run, although Cesc Fabregas has come back into contention in recent months.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about how Conte has impacted England and European football with his tactics this season, former Arsenal defender Keown said: “It’s over. I don’t see anyone catching them.
“Like everybody else, I’ve been impressed by Antonio Conte, and how much he seems to be impacting on English football with his tactics.
“Everyone else seems to be wheeling out three at the back now, including England against Germany last week.
“He’s widened the vocabulary of English football, tactically. Conte played three at the back in the summer with Italy but has managed to vary it up slightly at Chelsea and still managed to get the right balance between attack and defence.
“That has been key to them dominating the Premier League like they have.”
MORE: The latest Chelsea news and views
MORE: The latest Chelsea player tweets
Chelsea will host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as the Blues look to extend their unbeaten run.
