Where are such "a quality team" comments when Chelsea was at fecking 10th place last season? Oh yes, the same City team last season reach semi-final of Champions League but till can't compare to Chelsea who sit 10th in the league alone?
Conte made 7 changes to the first 11 team, 4 changes done by introducing new player (Kante, Alonso, Mose, Luiz), 3 by changing player playing positions (Azpilicueta, Cahill, Pedro). Yes, the major part of his success till belong to Mourinho?
This year Chelsea lost both to Liverpool and Arsenal when playing 4-2-3-1 system like Mourinho did last year. They only turned to champions since the new formation was introduced. So Conte has to replace all 11 men and introduce a new formation in order to claim the victory made by him self?
Conte ended his duty with Italy at the beginning of July. Pep and Jose had nothing to do during May and June, just a remind.
The board didn't give him what he wanted, a part from Kante. Both Alonso and Luiz were last minute purchases. Luiz, in particular, played badly untill Conte changed to the 3-4-3 system which suited him.
Conte made personal phone call and convinced Kante. He was the only player on Conte's wishing list that the board got.
If you watch Conte this season you see he is changing constantly to get the results. He makes 3 substitution in almost every game and changes the formation from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2 or even 3-3-4 in a game. Also mastering the dressing room with Costa case being an example, without criticizing or frozening a single player. It is not easy to make and maintain a high spirit and united squad. But he did it.