The Chelsea fans who can regularly be found drinking here in the Transfer Tavern have been over the moon with their team this season, with the Blues currently sitting pretty at the summit of the Premier League and 10 points clear of the team in second place.

It has been a remarkable first season in English football for Italian boss Antonio Conte and there is little to doubt his credentials to be a real success on these shores.

Chelsea were considered outsiders for the title at the start of the season, after an appalling campaign last time around saw them fail to even qualify for a European spot through the league table.

Many Chelsea supporters in the Tavern stated back in July prior to the season that a return to the Champions League would have represented a successful campaign, but Conte has warmed himself to the Blues’ faithful with some magnificent football.

Lee Clarke looks at two players who could miss out for the rampant Blues this afternoon.

Victor Moses

One of the most surprising aspects of Antonio Conte’s tenure at the club has been the emergence of Moses, who prior to the Italian joining the club, spent time out on loan away from Stamford Bridge.

Moses has played a lot of football this season and a small period of rest could do the player the world of good ahead of future endeavours later in the campaign.

Willian

The Brazilian forward earned a rare start in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Stoke City last time around, although he could find himself back on the bench this weekend.

The lively performer was one of the club’s standout players during last season’s miserable campaign and he can perhaps count himself a little unlucky not to have featured more this season.

A couple of Chelsea supporters are chatting over an early morning pint and they concede that Willian simply doesn’t seem to fit into Conte’s plans anymore.