What Italy’s performance at the Euros means for Chelsea
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Published 20/06/2016 at 18:59 GMT
Two games into Italy's Euro 216, and Chelsea fans are starting to get a picture of what life under Antonio Conte might be like, writes Dan Levene...
Italy's coach Antonio Conte gestures on the sideline during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Italy and Sweden at the Stadium Municipal in Toulouse on June 17, 2016.
Image credit: AFP
It is a slow reveal: a picture emerging line-by-line, like a screen image back in the days of dial-up internet.
But, if there is a theme more prevalent than any so far to emerge from Italy's assault on Euro 2016, then it is this: that Antonio Conte is a winner.
Italians expected little of their national side in this tournament: and yet there they are, in a club of three alongside hosts France and holders Spain - the only sides to win the opening two matches.
Those two matches were very different, of course.
The first, against a cavalier and undisciplined Belgium, was a drop-jaw moment for many – as the Azzurri showed flair and class.
The second, against a far more closed Sweden, was one for the connoisseurs: a great deal of not a lot had to be waded through, before the killer instinct could be found.
Those two games, both victories, gave a good sign of the styles Conte may well come up against in the Premier League.
Belgium, in a way, was reminiscent of quite a number of games between Chelsea and Arsenal – Arsene Wenger's purist (for which, read 'inflexible') approach to the game is always, seemingly, vulnerable to Chelsea's more pragmatic play.
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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Image credit: Reuters
Sweden could have been any number of teams more willing to sit back and attempt to nullify opposition – a tactic unfairly derided when used by the unfashionable Stoke, but in receipt of plaudits when put to use in celebratory fashion by Leicester.
With so many Premier League players in the competition (103 out of 552 – by far the most represented league there), it is no great surprise that games and styles can be so easily transposed from one to the other.
One of the interesting things, looking at Conte's tactics, is that it gives the opportunity to see precisely which existing players may fit into the style that is presently being worked by Italy.
Firstly, it should be said, that there is no guarantee the Blues' new first team coach will directly lift his 3-4-3 from Italy to Chelsea.
Conte is known for being willing and able to play in the style that both best suits his available tools, and also most unnerves the opposition.
But it is clear that 3-4-3 is a formation he likes to work with, and given the limited time available this closed season, there has to be a decent chance he will simply try to fit his new squad around a model he is familiar with.
Thus you can see why there is so much talk about the likelihood of players such as John Mikel Obi and Nemanja Matic moving on – there is no room in this formation for the double pivot that has been so popular among coaches in recent years.
And you can also understand why Chelsea are being so closely linked with Radja Nainggolan: more of a box-to-box man, who would drop seamlessly into such a Conte side.
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Belgium's midfielder Radja Nainggolan (L) in action during the Euro 2016 group E football match between Belgium and Italy at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais stadium in Lyon on June 13, 2016
Image credit: AFP
Likewise, with the position of central defender so key in this formation (Conte uses three), Chelsea's interest in Leonardo Bonucci (why go for cheap imitations, when you could buy the original), and young ball-playing talent John Stones makes sense.
But possibly the most interesting thing, and the position that could easily make a real star of one existing Chelsea man, is the role of the wing-back.
Kenedy, a fringe player just breaking into the first team under Jose Mourinho, was given more and more opportunities to shine as last season developed.
A firm fan's favourite already, he showed great potential during the difficult Guus Hiddink months.
But the role of wing-back, with wide defensive cover provided by a mobile trio of centre halves, could well be the position he was born to play.
Italy, contrary to expectations, may well have some way to yet go in Euro 2016. And Conte will certainly have plenty to do with both new and existing players before Chelsea kick off at home to West Ham in just under two months’ time.
But the picture that is slowly emerging will mean that, for many Chelsea fans, that new era cannot kick off soon enough.
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