EVER since an inspired switch to 3-4-3 on October 1 against Hull, Chelsea have looked, and played, like champions.
A week prior, Antonio Conte‘s Blues were thumped 3-0 by Arsenal and a second, consecutive hum-drum season looked set to be on the cards.
Sitting eighth in the Premier League, already eight points off league-leading Manchester City, Conte promised he’d ‘find a solution’.
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That he did, as he switched the conventional back four for three at the back and stuck Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso – previously nothing more than role players – in the wing-back roles.
The pair thrived, while Eden Hazard and Diego Costa rediscovered their 2014-15 Premier League title-winning form.
The Blues would go on a 13-game winning run, scoring 32 goals and conceding a mere four.
And now it would seem Conte is destined to lead his Chelsea side - in his first season at Stamford Bridge - to the Premier League title against Manchester United at Old Trafford in April...against Jose Mourinho no less.
As of today, the Blues sit ten points clear of second-placed Tottenham with 12 games to play.
If results go Chelsea's way, there is a scenario in which no team racks up more than 53 points.
If the Blues win their next six games they will sit on 81 points - 18 clear of second place and enough to get their hands on the title.
In fact, Conte and Co would have had the chance to clinch the title sooner, but for rearranged matches due to cup commitments getting in the way.
While getting the title sewn-up nice and early would be great for fans, there's something special about the idea of completing the feat against ex-boss Mourinho.
The game is just six weeks away from now - but the pair will enjoy something of a dress rehearsal in the FA Cup sixth round at Stamford Bridge on March 13.
The way Chelsea have been playing of late, you wouldn't put it past them to have the Premier League crown in their trophy cabinet come April...
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