Martin Keown: Chelsea look lost, Antonio Conte has a real issue
The Arsenal legend believes Chelsea look lost right now following a three-game winless run
Martin Keown admits Chelsea have looked lost in their recent games against Manchester City and Roma.
The defending Premier League champions have lost back-to-back top-flight victories before Chelsea were forced to settle for a 3-3 draw with Serie A giants in the Champions League.
Chelsea struggled to break down both Manchester City and Roma as Antonio Conte deployed his trademark 3-4-3 formation.
The Blues won the Premier League with two games to spare last term thanks in part to Conte’s trademark tactic in the Italian’s first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea are in fourth place and nine points behind leaders Manchester City after eight games following a run of three wins and three defeats in the 2017-18 season so far.
Former Arsenal defender Keown is worried about Chelsea after the Premier League holders discarded a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Serie A giants at Stamford Bridge.
“That is twice now, against Manchester City and Roma, that Chelsea have looked a bit lost,” Keown told the Daily Mail.
“Those teams created a real issue in Chelsea’s system. Last season, Antonio Conte made a back-three the in-vogue system.
“I have plenty of admiration for Conte as having played in that system myself, I never thought it could work.
“But against City and Roma the back three became a five.”
Chelsea have won the Premier League title in two of the past three seasons under Jose Mourinho and then Conte.
The Blues signed six players in the summer transfer window in an attempt to transform his squad ahead of a return to the Champions League.
Chelsea will host in-form Watford in their next Premier League fixture on Saturday.
