Sport

Chelsea more than capable of title tilt, why can’t we see it?

It is that time of year, when experts and Mystic Meg impersonators tell us why one team will win the league “without doubt”, and another less glamorous outfit are “doomed” from the off. Chelsea more than capable of title tilt, why can’t we see it?

ESPN have grouped all their writers together in one piece, and predicted their top four, bottom three, top scorer and player of the season.

Of the 17 specialists in their field, most went for a Manchester club to take the title back to the north west, two went for Tottenham to sensationally earn their first Premier League crown, while Gabriele Marcotti even tipped Arsenal to win it (!!!!!).

Remarkably, not one plumped for Chelsea, with many even overlooking them to finish in the top four.

It would be churlish to dismiss the opinion that Manchester United or City could be champions, when you consider the huge investment by both in some of the best talent the planet has to offer.

Those who have stuck their neck on the line and tipped Tottenham will certainly have had Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical acumen at the forefront of their minds, while Marcotti’s reasoning remains a mystery, however (I jest, Gooners).

That Pochettino reasoning has to be applied to Conte, however, and then some.

The Italy squad at the Euros was arguably the weakest-looking in living memory. Nonetheless, the Azzurri still disposed of reigning champions Spain with consummate ease, with Conte heralded a genius for masterminding such an accomplishment with average personnel.

Italy were soon heading home after a penalty shoot-out exit to Germany at the quarter-final stage, but Conte certainly received plenty of admiration for his Gallic exploits.

So where have those admirers disappeared to? Will Conte not be able to guide better players to heady heights?

Conte hasn’t spent the hundreds of millions that Pep Guardiola or Jose Mourinho has invested, and there are doubts about whether there is enough defensive cover for the Blues to build a successful campaign on, but Conte’s plethora of plans can have a greater impact than a Paul Pogba arrival could.

N’Golo Kante’s addition could certainly be a powerful ingredient to Conte’s creative juices. The France international’s ability to protect the back four is up there with the very best in the world, but he adds numerous other facets to the Blues’ arsenal that Conte could utilise.

Alongside Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas can be pushed further forward, and that assist table could be dominated quite easily by the Spaniard once again.

Another option would be to play Kante as a lone anchor, allowing for an extra striker or creative option, as the former Leicester star is capable of marshaling the engine-room alone.

Conte has previous of relying so heavily on a midfield metronome. While Andrea Pirlo is more renowned for his finesse than the tireless worth ethic that has become associated with Kante, the Juventus midfield anchor was arguably as crucial as anyone to the Old Lady resurrecting themselves, just as Kante can be for the Blues.

These options are music to the ears of such thoughtful taskmaster like Conte, and ability to craft success using completely different systems makes Chelsea a threat not to be underestimated.

We do not know if Michy Batshuayi will be a success or not. There is no doubting his talent, but his like have flopped before.

We do not know if Eden Hazard will continue his improvement, if there is enough horse placenta to keep Diego Costa going or John Terry has enough left in the tank for one more season.

Yet, these are variables. If such circumstances go in Chelsea’s favour, as they well could, a title challenge is not out of the question.

“I tipped Leicester from the start,” said nobody in May, but more should have given themselves the opportunity to be able to say such for Chelsea this time around – Conte is a man with a plan.