Manager Antonio Conte insists Chelsea have defied all odds to become leaders at Christmas; says his players will fight hard to emerge top of the Premier League table come year end
Chelsea players celebrate their win over Manchester City in the Premier League match at Manchester recently. Pic/Getty Images
London: Antonio Conte believes his Chelsea side have defied doubters by occupying a familiar position at the top of the Premier League.
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Chelsea were champions when they capitulated under Jose Mourinho, who was sacked 12 months ago before the Blues recovered to finish in 10th place.
Conte, Mourinho's permanent successor, has steered Chelsea to a club record 11 successive Premier League wins and a six-point lead ahead of Monday's Boxing Day clash with Bournemouth.
"If I go with my mind to the start of the season, not one person thought or forecast that Chelsea would stay top of the table, for many reasons," Conte said. "Because the squad was the same as last season's. Because our (transfer) market wasn't. But I think, in these situations, we found the right balance. Me and my players and the club."
On his rejuvenated Blues now being title favourites, Conte added: "I prefer to be favourites on the pitch, not with words. With words you can change who are favourites very quickly."
The squad is largely the same as the one, which saw Chelsea claim a first Premier League title in five years under Mourinho in May 2015, although David Luiz, Victor Moses, N'Golo Kante and Marcos Alonso are new to that line-up.
Antonio Conte
Chelsea led on Christmas Day then and on each of the four occasions the Blues have won the Premier League title they were top on December 25.
Six times in the last seven seasons the Christmas leaders went on to win the title. And Conte believes his players will be unfazed by topping the table at Christmas, while insisting it is the final standings, which matter. "These players, in the past, have had the habit of staying top of the table," Conte added.
"It's not the first time for me or for my players. But I prefer not to look at the table at this moment, neither my players nor me. Now it's more important to take the three points and increase your tally. Then we can look at the end of the season and see where we are. Then it's important."
Conte disagrees with the theory that there is less pressure to chase. "I'd prefer the pressure to stay top of the table," Conte said.
"We earned this position. Now it's important to it. It won't be easy for sure. For sure, to arrive at Christmas and to open the newspaper and see you are top of the table is fantastic. The players deserve this. But, in my experience it's important to keep this position. You can keep this position only through hard work and focus, with great will to fight," said Conte.
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