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Chelsea vs. Southampton: Opposition threat

By Jack Deery

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides third goal with his teammates during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith's Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 12: Pedro of Chelsea celebrates after scoring his sides third goal with his teammates during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith's Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith’s Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte during the Premier League match between Huddersfield Town and Chelsea at John Smith’s Stadium on December 12, 2017 in Huddersfield, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) /

Antonio Conte

The Italian manager’s unpredictability could be a huge threat for Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino. One full season in the Premier League and one Premier League title shows Conte is a very intelligent manager who manages to get the best out of his players.

Obviously Conte was blessed with a very good side last year, but it still takes a good manager to go on and win the league. Very passionate and energetic on the sidelines, Antonio Conte is always striving for the best from his players and does not hide his disappointment when something goes wrong.

The former Italy national manager is not scared of making a big decision and never lets players be bigger than the club. Conte likes to mix up and rotate his starting XI quite frequently which makes it difficult for Pellegrino to set up his team. He might go with wingers and play Willian and Pedro or he could go more narrow with Morata and Hazard up top  and whose going to play at the back is becoming increasingly hard to predict.

If the manager gets his players playing to their full potential, it will be very difficult for Southampton to stop.