Cesar Azpilicueta talks up Antonio Conte's tactical tinkering

Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace on August 29, 2015
© Getty Images
Cesar Azpilicueta believes that Chelsea's strong team spirit and a switch to a new formation has played a big part in their return to winning ways in the Premier League.

Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has admitted that he and his teammates are finding life easier thanks to manager Antonio Conte's recent decision to revert to a 3-4-3 formation.

The former Italy and Juventus boss made the call to shift to five at the back, including the use of two flying wing-backs, during half time of his side's dismal 3-0 defeat to rivals Arsenal.

Since then the Blues have played three and won three in the Premier League, scoring nine goals and yet to concede, and Conte revealed ahead of Sunday's meeting against Southampton that he intends to stick with the winning formula.

"I find it good. The most important thing for me is the team and since we changed the system we haven't conceded goals in the Premier League," Azpilicueta told Sky Sports News.

"I try to play my part in the team. The most important part of the system is the spirit of the team and the way we work. The tactics make a difference but what was most pleasing was the way the team work made it happen.

"Some players have different roles now but we have all week to work on that and we have a very clear idea what to do in the game. We have different options from the attacking fullbacks now."

Chelsea's upturn in fortunes in the league has helped them claw the gap on the pacesetters to just one point, though they did suffer defeat to West Ham United in the EFL Cup in midweek - a match from which Azpilicueta was absent.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte gesticulates on the touchline during his side's Premier League clash with Hull City at the KCOM Stadium on October 1, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City107212491523
2Arsenal1072123101323
3Liverpool1072124131123
4Chelsea107122191222
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs10550145920
6Everton10532158718
7Watford104331413115
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd104331312115
9Southampton103431110113
10Bournemouth103341214-212
11Leicester CityLeicester103341216-412
12Stoke CityStoke103341217-512
13Crystal Palace103251416-211
14Burnley10325813-511
15Middlesbrough10244911-210
16West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom102441014-410
17West Ham UnitedWest Ham103161019-910
18Hull City10217823-157
19Swansea CitySwansea10127918-95
20Sunderland10028720-132