West Ham boss Slaven Bilic reveals what sets Chelsea apart from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic believes Chelsea are top of the Premier League because they have proved far more ‘solid’ than their title rivals.
Under Antonio Conte, the Blues have moved seven points clear of their nearest challengers – that figure could reach double figures again if Chelsea beat West Ham on Monday.

Bilic has been impressed by Chelsea’s ability to win games while not being at their best – and the Hammers boss believes this is down to the formation Conte has implemented at Stamford Bridge.

‘The main thing you notice about Chelsea this season is that they are very fit, they work hard, they are very solid and on top of that, they have that quality up front which is basically making the difference in every game,’ Bilic wrote in his column for the Evening Standard.

‘If you compare them with the other title contenders, Chelsea are more solid than Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

‘Most of the games, they are winning not totally the Italian way and at home they play some very offensive football.

‘Look at the way they push up their wing-backs, they are more like wingers. It’s a very demanding position and there is no point in playing that system if the players are not capable of possessing that level of fitness.

‘Both of them — Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso — have great stamina and they train hard.’

Bilic, who will be out to halt Chelsea’s impressive progress under Conte at the London Stadium on Monday evening, added: ‘What makes Chelsea solid is that they never defend with three — it’s always five.

‘Most of the games, they are winning not totally the Italian way and at home they play some very offensive football.

‘Look at the way they push up their wing-backs, they are more like wingers. It’s a very demanding position and there is no point in playing that system if the players are not capable of possessing that level of fitness.

‘Both of them — Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso — have great stamina and they train hard.’

Bilic, who will be out to halt Chelsea’s impressive progress under Conte at the London Stadium on Monday evening, added: ‘What makes Chelsea solid is that they never defend with three — it’s always five.