N’Golo Kante Responsible For Chelsea’s 3-4-3 Success
In recent years, teams like Leicester City and Atletico Madrid have shown that it is possible to build an elite defence with two central midfielders. What no one has done, however, is dominate in possession with just two. Thanks to the diverse abilities of the men in the middle, Chelsea paired a goal-stopping behemoth with one of the Premier League’s most efficient attacks. And, the former Leicester City powerhouse N’Golo Kante is at the core of things at Stamford bridge.
Antonio Conte switched to a 3–4–3 formation, and since then Chelsea have shown tremendous form. They’re atop the table.
N’Golo Kante: The mid-field powerhouse
Conte deserves much credit for his tactical tinkering, but the players deserve just as much credit. The most fascinating aspect about the formation change is not the switch to three at the back; it is the move to use only two in the centre of the park. Over the past decade, most top teams have opted for three central midfielders in order to dominate possession in the midfield. All of Chelsea’s top-six rivals field a trio. However, Conte has opted to play a man down in the middle. N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic can do the job of three men.
Kante was the standout defensive performer in an excellent defensive team. At Leicester, he often played the role of two midfielders through his immense ability to cover space. Much of the same could be said of Matic’s game. Standing at 6-foot-4, his ability to cover ground is more due to his giant stride compared to Kante’s boundless energy. But he reads the game just as well and is an even better passer, thanks to a brilliant understanding of space and sound technique.
Within a midfield trio, the roles are typically distributed evenly among a destroyer, a supporting passer or box-to-box player, and a creator. But Kante and Matic fulfill all of those roles collectively. Kante is a box-to-box destroyer, and Matic, who has six assists in the season, is a destructive creator. Though, Kante and Matic are flourishing despite a numerical disadvantage, they’ve also been aided by Conte’s system.
Italian genius revives lost formation
During the buildup in the 4–3–3, both Matic and Kante were required to play deeper to help bring the ball out from the defence and into the midfield. The tactical shift in the 3-4-3 allows Matic and Kante to play a vital role during the crucial moments: right when possession is lost. Neither has to drop in, as the additional third center back allows Chelsea to overload most opposition presses. With wingbacks pushed up alongside the midfield, both wingers are able to move inside, filling the gap between the midfield and the attack.
Eden Hazard, especially, has benefitted from a role that allows him greater freedom in the final third. With more links through the attack, everything clicks. Chelsea are passing the ball with precision, and their switch of play is faster and more dangerous. Kante and Matic are no longer faced with the task of bridging a chasm of space.
When Chelsea are attacking the opponent’s penalty area, Matic and Kante are joined by a centre back to form a chain to cover any potential counterattacking routes. The three man cover blocks the entire width of the pitch, making it almost impossible for the opponents to catch Chelsea off-guard.
The increased resistance against counterattacks, coupled with a back line that becomes a five-man wall as the wingbacks drop in when Chelsea lose the ball, has created the best defence in the league. Matic and Kante fortify the midfield, but if they’re bypassed, there are three center backs waiting. And if the ball goes out wide, there’s a wingback. The fortification is almost 100 percent fool-proof.
Impressive Stats
Few have provided the kind of value for money as N’Golo Kante’s £32million move to Chelsea, as the combative midfielder has formed a vital part of Antonio Conte’s table-topping side. Partnered in the centre of the midfield with either Nemanja Matic or Cesc Fabregas for the majority of the season, Kante’s statistical performance has been nothing short of outstanding.
His 88.9 percent pass accuracy is one of the best for players in his position, he is bettered by the likes of Granit Xhaka, Moussa Dembele, Leon Britton, while his 69.1 passes per game is the sixth highest average in his position.
N’Golo Kante’s level of consistency and output in both the attacking and defensive phases of play has contributed heavily to Chelsea’s brilliant form this term. There’s still plenty of time left in the season, and Chelsea have become more reliant on a specific starting 11 than any other team in England . As long as Kanté and Matic stay healthy, one plus one would be equal to three.
Image Courtesy: Chelsea FC