Conte hopes record run sparks title glory

Antonio Conte has challenged his Chelsea stars to use their club record run of 12 successive victories as the foundation to win the Premier League title. Conte’s side moved seven points clear at the top after a 3-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday and they are now just two more victories away from equalling Arsenal’s Premier League record of 14 consecutive wins.
Should the Blues defeat Stoke and Tottenham in their next two games, they will have earned a significant statistical landmark. But it is trophies that matter most to former Juventus and Italy boss Conte and he has set his sights on leading Chelsea to the Premier League crown they last won in May 2015.
“I prefer to win the title than the record,” Conte said.
“Records are important, but not all. It’s important to write history only when you win. To be in the history of the club and to win 12 games in a row is fantastic. But with the players we want to continue.”
Bournemouth switched to three at the back to try to match the Chelsea formation that has proved such a success since Conte first deployed it earlier this season. But Conte’s men still proved too strong and the Italian views teams changing tactics as a mark of respect.
It is a nice problem for Conte to have, and one that is familiar after his time at Juventus, who won 33 of 38 games under him in 2013-14. “After 12 wins in a row, every team who play against Chelsea try also to change their formation. It happened also in Italy when I was manager of Juventus,” Conte said.
“We must be prepared for the formation of our opponent (to change). I think this means great respect for us. I am pleased to see my players with great concentration and focus, with great will to fight and continue in this way. To win 12 games in a row is not easy in this league. It’s a fantastic run but it’s important to continue that now. For me, it’s important only for the table. With these 12 wins in a row we took 36 points and our table position is fantastic now,” the Italian added.
Pedro set Chelsea on course for victory with a 24th-minute opener before Eden Hazard added the second from the penalty spot four minutes into the second half and Pedro added the third in injury time.
Victory was achieved without suspended duo Diego Costa and N’Golo Kante and Conte believes this only increased the scale of his side’s achievement and will be noted by their main rivals.
“I think today we sent a good message,” said Conte. “In general because I think that a lot of people waited to see if, without two really important players, Costa and Kante, we could lose points in this game. It didn’t happen, I am pleased for this, because I can count on all my players in the squad. I try in every game to make the best decision for the team without looking at the faces.”
Conte opted to employ Hazard as a central striker, forcing 23-year-old Belgian international forward Michy Batshuayi to continue his wait for a first league start since his £33mn ($40.5mn, 38.7mn euros) arrival from Marseille.
“After the Crystal Palace game I said we had a week to work to find the right solution, to play for the first time without Diego, without Kante,” said Conte. “After a week of work, I decide to choose this type of solution, with Eden, Pedro and Willian. I’m pleased for the performance of these players.
“I think that Michy is a really good player, but a young player, he is trying to adapt to this league. I try to make the best decision for the team but I am sure that Michy could have the possibility to show his talent in the future.”
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe admitted the defeat had taught his side a valuable lesson. “When you have Hazard, Pedro and Willian, counter-attacking with such pace it’s difficult,” said Howe.
“I think that was probably the thing where we fell short, on the ball we gave them too many times to get into those situations by not being tight enough or good enough on the ball in those situations. That’s something we take away from this game.”