Chelsea’s coach Antonio Conte said reuniting the fractured team-spirit was the key to their charge to the Premier League title.
Conte’s side were crowned champions on Friday as a 1-0 victory at West Bromwich Albion wrapped up the title with two games to play.
Michy Batshuayi’s 82nd minute winner after coming off the bench was the latest example of Conte’s remarkable impact since the Italian took charge last year, AFP reported.
When Conte arrived at Stamford Bridge, he found a squad ripped apart following the mutiny that led to Jose Mourinho’s sacking last season.
But the former Juventus and Italy boss skillfully soothed the fragile egos and has been repaid with a memorable march to the title.
“It wasn’t easy for me to arrive in England and try different habits, a different language and inherit players after a bad season,” Conte said.
“This is a great achievement for the players. I thank them for their commitment and work rate. They show me a great attitude to try to do something great this season.” Conte’s midas touch was most evident in his switch to a three-man defensive formation following defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal in September.
“That decision changed our season. We had to change and find a new suit for our team. In my mind there was this option to play a 3-4-3 because I knew I had the players to do that,” Conte said.
Chelsea reeled off 13 successive wins after the change and, despite a brief wobble with defeats against Crystal Palace and Manchester United, they coasted to the title in a no-nonsense style befitting their intense boss.

Source: BNA