Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes Chelsea have been able to leapfrog their title rivals to the summit of the league and to also maintain a firm grip at the top because they have been lucky with injuries this season.
Antonio Conte’s side are currently leading the pack with 43 points, six points above Liverpool who are in the second place. The Blues have had a smooth ride in the league since their last defeat which was against Arsenal back in September.
Klopp’s claims that their steady flow can traceable to their players not getting injured may not be totally true after all. It is a fact that keeping a fit squad goes a long way in getting the desired results on the pitch.
Viewing it from another side, there are other factors that have contributed to their incredible form apart from absent of injuries. It was almost the crop of players under Jose Mourinho, in fact Pedro was brought in from Barcelona to bolster the squad yet the results were poor. Nine losses in 16 games in the league led to the Portuguese coach being sacked last year December.
Chelsea did not really start this season brightly. Before the switch to 3-4-3 formation, the Blues had won just thrice in their first six games with the same players that have won 11 games on the trot.
This time last year Chelsea were languishing in the 14th position. Conte inherited almost all of Mourinho’s squad and he is still utilizing them till now except for the change in tactical approach that brought the club good fortune.
Diego Costa managed 12 goals last season and Eden Hazard could not score a league goal until April but both players are spear heading Chelsea’s attack this season with Costa leading the league scoring chart with 13 goals.
Conte took the all necessary tactical approach by dropping out-of-form players like Ivanovic, John Terry and Mikel Obi. He brought in N’Golo Kante from Leicester City and he has been solid in the midfield alongside Nemanja Matic. Even Michy Batshuayi who was also brought in this summer has not been able to break into the first team.
While lack of injuries is playing its part, tactical change and more commitments from the players have been more crucial to their boisterous performances so far.