Ballack: I am very impressed with Conte

Chelsea legend Michael Ballack has attributed Chelsea magnificent form in the English Premier League to the way Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has settled down to his new job and how he has been able to transfer his idea to his players.

Chelsea are currently leading the English Premier League table with 10 points ahead of closest challengers, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City and Ballack thinks that it's all down to Antonio Conte.

"I've been really impressed so far," Ballack said. "Since [Antonio] Conte came in, he brought the team back in line and they're leading the table comfortably in front of Tottenham and Man City. All teams have high expectations but he seems to be able to have good access to the players and built up a quick new relationship which is always important after a disappointing season last season.

"He changed his system very early so it was really interesting to see how he could adapt to a new group and have such a huge impact, and they're doing fantastic."


"Italian coaches like playing a certain tactic," Ballack added. "They are convinced with a certain tactic and if they are convinced, they repeat it all the time, and that's what they're doing in training at Chelsea.

"They repeat sessions three, four times a week so the players also get comfortable with the system and it automatically gets in the players' brains, and in the game when you are under pressure you know the situation and things go automatically well, which you can't really explain.



"I think that's what he likes to do with his training and it was good to watch. Of course, he's passionate. He's a winner you can see that.

"He seems to be calm sometimes but when he's on the line he has this little bit extra and when you're a player and you look to your coach and he's leading with such passion, that's good to watch."