He came, he saw, he Conte'd

In a season following on from the most unlikely title win in football history, there was a feeling among the general football world this was the most open title race in history.

None of the so called experts or tabloids could pin point a team who were going to be the main threat. But as we move into the final sprint of the season Chelsea appear to have it all sewn up and for one good reason.

When Antonio Conte arrived he came with the reputation of a winner. After leading and establishing Juventus back as the major power house in Italy, Conte impressed in his spell in charge of the Azzurri. With possibly the weakest squad in memory he guided them to within penalties of a Euro 2016 semi-final. Built on the backdrop of the Juventus back three he managed and sculptured at club level, he ensured they were difficult to beat, calm in possession and well organised.

Fast forward nine months and you could apply those three phrases to this current Chelsea team. After a small stutter early in the season the eccentric Italian reverted back to what he knows best 3-4-3. He looked at players like Azpilicueta and moved him to the right side of a central three. A player whose defensive and offensive play has been top class as a full back aside from last season, he's seamlessly slotted in with his manager's guidance. Victor Moses is another great example of Conte's man-management skills. There was a opening for a right wing back in Conte's system and he looked at a player who never seemed to fit in at Stamford Bridge and seen he has the attributes needed to play that role.

Conte inherited a split dressing room and a squad that needed freshening up and players that needed reviving. Signings like Marcos Alonso and the return of David Luiz especially raised many eyebrows in the summer, but they have been great examples of what a manager of his personality and character can get out of players not always known for their consistency in Luiz's case. 

The rejuvenation and squeezing every last drop of talent out of Eden Hazard's magic boots is also a major factor. Every top manager would love to have Hazard, providing you can man-manage a maverick, fleet footed genius like him you will always be there or there abouts. But Conte has also installed a belief in working for the team among his squad of stars and ego's. This has ensured he commands great respect from all his players no matter who they are. Even Diego Costa, who has epitomised great work rate and determination in having a exceptional season found out no one has more authority than the Italian. His alleged interest in a pot of gold and the end of a rainbow in China didn't destabilise their grip on the title. Costa simply served his time out the team and the matter was closed and died down after a crazy 48 hours when the news broke. Costa is now back in the team doing what he's done all season and it's a case of when not if the trophy returns to the Bridge.