Former Juventus and Italy manager Antonio Conte is the man charged with improving Chelsea’s fortunes after a woeful season last time out in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho lost his job in December after guiding the Blues to the worst defence of a title since Blackburn in 1995/96, and interim boss Guus Hiddink didn’t improve their fortunes too much after that, steering the Blues to a 10th place finish.

However, Conte has come in and got off to a decent start, winning five of his first eight Premier League games, including an impressive 3-0 success over champions Leicester City last weekend.

The Italian is beginning to stamp his authority on the Chelsea team, and has played three at the back on the last few occasions as he attempts to lead the Blues to a second league title in three years.

And there are some players that, although they don’t get the recognition from a number of fans up and down the country, will be key to him achieving that.

Here are THREE under-rated players in that Chelsea team right now…

Marcos Alonso

A lot was made and even more said about Chelsea’s decision to buy former Bolton Wanderers defender Marcos Alonso from Fiorentina on deadline day.

But, a few games into his Chelsea career, he looks like he could become an important player in Conte’s system.

Playing chiefly as a wing-back, Alonso was excellent against Leicester last weekend, as he was continuously getting in support of the front men, but doing his defensive duties solidly as well.

Although it’s early in his Chelsea career, he is proving many doubters wrong.

Victor Moses

Similar to Alonso, Conte’s 3-4-3 formation might get the best out of Victor Moses.

The 25-year-old has endured a tough few years at Stamford Bridge, with three separate spells on loan also largely frustrating, but he has been given a new lease of life under Conte this time around.

His energy could have been exactly what Chelsea needed last season – nevertheless, they will seriously benefit from that this campaign.

Nemanja Matic

Nemanja Matic played an integral part in Chelsea’s title-winning campaign a few seasons back, yet didn’t get the plaudits that Eden Hazard and co received, although did make the PFA Team of the Year.

Thus, the players facing the Serbian international clearly recognise what he does for the Chelsea team, but that is sometimes lost on the fans and, now N’Golo Kante has moved the Stamford Bridge to play alongside him, there is more focus on the former Leicester man than Matic, who continues to go about his business in the midfield as effectively as before.

Although he didn’t have the best of seasons last time around (who did for the Blues), his form in the middle will once again be crucial if Chelsea are to challenge for trophies.