Our resident Chelsea fans here inside the Football Transfer Tavern are in dreamland…
Antonio Conte’s side will be top of the table at Christmas after what has been a superb start to the season for the Blues.
Our landlord here in the Tavern cannot believe how well Conte is doing at Stamford Bridge, and thinks some of the fluid, attacking football that the club have played this season is nothing short of sensational.
There just seems to be a balance and structure to the Chelsea side now, which was clearly missing last season, and it is hard to see anyone else lifting the Premier League trophy come May.
Naturally, chat here in the Tavern very quickly turns to transfers and Chelsea have been well and truly involved in an array of transfer rumours of late.
Most notably, Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas is being earmarked for a move away from Stamford Bridge to China in the new year, whilst Conte is allegedly looking to bring impressive Hoffenheim defender Niklas Sule to Chelsea in January.
Our landlord has subsequently decided to look at the potential Chelsea XI under Conte in 2017… Check it out!
GK: Thibaut Courtois
The commanding 24-year-old is a certain starter under Antonio Conte at Chelsea.
His fantastic form of late has made him one of the Blues’ most key players.
At such a young age, the keeper has so much longevity and years to develop and mature as a player.
CB: Kurt Zouma
The 22-year-old is undoubtedly one of the hottest prospects in world football.
His presence in the heart of defence at such a young age make him a superb player to have in the squad.
Strong in the tackle, adept at passing from the back, incredible composure, Kurt Zouma has it all.
CB: Niklas Sule
The big German would be a fantastic addition to the Chelsea backline, and is a perfect replacement for the ageing John Terry.
At 6ft 5, Sule is a formidable opponent for opposition attackers and his ability to break up play and pick out passes is quality.
The Chelsea fans here in the Tavern think Sule would be a tremendous acquisition, and just hope Conte pulls out all the stops to land the Hoffenheim man in January.
CB: David Luiz
Luiz has been fantastic for the Blues since returning to Stamford Bridge from Paris Saint Germain in the summer.
The Brazilian seems to have ironed out the frailties in his defensive game that made him such a liability in his previous spell with the west London club.
Expect to see Luiz slot in alongside Zouma and Sule quite nicely.
RWB: Cesar Azpilicueta
This is quite the tough call because Victor Moses has been top drawer in this new role but our landlord can’t leave Azpilicueta out of the side.
The Spanish utility man has excelled in whatever position he has been in and deserves a crack at actually playing in arguably his most favoured role. If he can produce playing as a centre half he can surely do an even better job bombing up and down the right flank.
CM: N’Golo Kante
Here’s one man whose position will not be under threat – N’Golo Kante.
The French midfielder has proven himself to be the real deal since moving from Leicester City to Chelsea in the summer. Many wondered how he would in making the step-up, albeit with the Foxes the reigning champions, and so far he has done it with aplomb. If Chelsea win the league he has to be considered as the signing of the season.
CM: Nemanja Matic
Nemanja Matic looked finished as a Chelsea player after a poor season last year – but he has returned to form spectacularly under Antonio Conte.
Utilised alongside Kante, Matic’s defensive responsibilities have been lifted somewhat – and he is shining as a result.
Offering defensive assistance alongside offensive prowess – Matic has found his niche in the middle of the park, and he has been fantastic.
LWB: Marcos Alonso
Alonso is the unsung hero in this Chelsea side.
The 3-4-3 system really relies on having both left and right footed players to help that balance across the centre of the pitch and without the Spaniard’s left foot Chelsea would be struggling for that. He’s proven himself more than good enough to play for the Blues and will surely continue to start as we progress through 2017.
LW – Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard had a poor season last year, but he has finished off 2017 with a bang.
Alongside Diego Costa, Eden Hazard has been vital in ensuring that the Blues have got back to winning ways, with the Belgian offering goals, assists and so much more.
The Chelsea fans in the Transfer Tavern are hoping that 2017 will be far better than 2016 for him.
ST – Diego Costa
Who else?
Diego Costa is, at present, arguably the best number 9 in the world. Not just a goalscorer, Costa is a target man and transitional architect – and much of the Blues attack often goes through him.
He is the main man in this attack.
RW – Willian
Willian has been out of the Chelsea first team as of late, but there is no denying that he will be Antonio Conte’s long-term solution on the right-hand side.
He was crucial to the Blues’ efforts last season, and they would have been far worse off than 10th place without his superb goals.
His engine is unrivalled in the Premier League, and he is crucial.
