Antonio Conte is instantly reinvigorating Chelsea

From the moment Chelsea announced his impending leadership earlier this year, various anecdotes about Antonio Conte’s time at Juventus began to circulate, mostly concerning his relationship with his former players there.

“When he talks, his words assault you. They crash through your mind, often quite violently, and settle deep within,” Andrea Pirlo said.

He also recalled one of the first team talks he received from Conte, when both he and the manager arrived at Juventus in 2011. Conte wasted no time in reminding the players that their previous season’s seventh-place finish was unacceptable, and he would not tolerate that mediocrity during his reign.

His (now notorious) rants were commanding, authoritative; his pep talks direct, honest, effective. The three consecutive Serie A titles Conte won in Turin stand testament to that, each time enhanced by the impressive records the team set.

Such was the players’ regard for him that they accepted his criticism and shed all vestiges of complacency. The mentality he established in his players was formidable, and played a massive part in breeding their success.

In a recent interview with the Chelsea magazine, Conte likened his time at Juventus to the tasks that lie ahead with the Blues. “Juventus hadn’t won the title for many, many years and at the start it did not appear easy,” he said.

“Confidence was low and the players didn’t trust themselves.”

Not unlike 2015-16 Chelsea, so who better to reinvigorate a Blues squad that mysteriously capitulated following a storming title win merely months before?

With only a couple of new signings added and a few short months of training under their belts, the difference in the Chelsea side during Monday’s match against West Ham United was stark in every way. The players looked sharper, fitter; the football flowed, there seemed an added intensity as Chelsea attacked and pressed relentlessly, nearly every player in his respective position performing to the level expected.

Conte celebrates his side’s 89th minute winner against the Hammers – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The defence was rarely tested and Thibaut Courtois seemed to have little to do. Conte’s no-nonsense approach surely meant that each player had to convince the manager of his worth, yet they already show love and respect for him – and they played like it.

The new manager has restored camaraderie and enthusiasm to the club, revived it, his relentless organisation and discipline yielding immediate results. He is demanding, and unafraid to be so with big dressing room egos, or with Roman Abramovich and his board.

It is more than his mentality and motivational techniques that make Conte great; he is a master tactician. He is known to favour certain formations, yet despite his apparent rigidity, he maintains flexibility and creativity, the willingness and capacity to change tactics and style of play to suit the players available to him, as well as the league or opposition.

The small details are important to Conte as well. The Italian made it a point to learn English, and each word he utters in interviews and press conferences – and, surely, to his players and staff – is deliberate, carefully selected. He becomes deeply immersed and invested in every job he takes; he will, if he does not already, live and breathe Blue.

The ex-Italy coach was unveiled as Chelsea’s new manager back on April 4, 2016 – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

It is tempting, and natural, to draw comparisons between Conte and his predecessor, Jose (though admittedly, his rants at his players more closely resemble Sir Alex Ferguson’s hair-dryer treatments).

Much like Mourinho, second-best is never good enough for Conte, and he is similarly aggressive and obstinate. His touchline celebrations certainly show equal passion and comparable entertainment value, and demonstrate the importance of forming a connection with the fans: his turning towards the stands and running to embrace the Chelsea faithful – reminiscent of his attempt to leap over the dugout to reach the Italian fans this summer – has unsurprisingly automatically endeared him to them.

Speculation is rife as to where can Chelsea finish this season and whether they have a real shot at the title.

The competition is fiercer than ever, though Conte certainly knows how to get the best out of his players, and take them to new heights. If nothing else, the prospect of what he can do for the future of the squad is extremely exciting.