Chelsea legend Ashley Cole admits Antonio Conte’s three-man defence left him unconvinced before start of season
Former Blues left-back gives opinion on new formation in role as Sky Sports pundit for clash against Crystal Palace
CHELSEA legend Ashley Cole admits he doubted whether Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 formation would work at the beginning of the season.
The Blues have won ten games in a row after switching to the exciting tactic and are looking to keep their fine run going with victory over Crystal Palace this afternoon.
Despite starting the campaign with a regular four-man backline, Chelsea experimented with three centre-backs during pre-season.
Their tour of America saw them face LA Galaxy, where ex-Blues Cole now plies his trade.
And speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Chelsea’s Selhurst Park challenge, the left-back revealed he wasn’t a fan of Conte’s tactics before the magnificent winning run was put together.
Cole said: “I watched them in pre-season, I don’t know if I was a fan of three at the back. But I spoke to the players and they said it’s all they work on.
“They’ve done a great job, so it’s working. I’m not surprised they’re doing so well with the players they have. They have a strong squad with players on the bench too. I knew they would do well.
“When you go past five wins you think, ‘we can do this, we’re strong’. They have a lot of depth. Everyone is happy around training and they’re on a great run and hopefully it will continue.”
Cole gave Chelsea fans a treat earlier this week after returning to Cobham for training in the MLS off-season.
The veteran was joined by fellow ex-Blue Joe Cole and both were put through their paces ahead of the new campaign in America.