When John Terry limped through the closing stages against Swansea, there was serious concern among Chelsea fans about how the team would cope without him. The last few seasons have seen some dreadful displays without the captain on the pitch. These fears were proved all too accurate when Liverpool and Arsenal both tortured the Blues’ back line in the following weeks.
But since then a formation shift has seen a new defensive unit emerge. A back three with David Luiz playing between Cesar Azpilicueta and Gary Cahill has been superb through three games in which Chelsea have not conceded. The balance of Azpi’s speed with Luiz’s technique and Cahill’s physicality seems to be a perfect blend at the back for the Blues.
The question now, amazingly, is where Terry will fit in when he’s fit. He was on the bench today, and in all likelihood will be staying there unless something changes.
It’s an unusual problem for a Chelsea manager to have, but a welcome one for Antonio Conte.
