Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta happy to adapt to new role for Antonio Conte
Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta has vowed to continue to do his best in a new role within Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 formation.
Azpilicueta has been deployed at left back for the majority of his career in English football, despite being predominantly right sided, but has recently been asked to play as one of three central defenders.
The 27-year-old has made the switch seamlessly, helping Chelsea to secure four consecutive Premier League victories since Conte's tactical tweak last month.
Chelsea are now just one point off top spot and Azpilicueta is adamant he is happy to play wherever he is needed as the west Londoners close in on Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.
"I have always felt the confidence of the manager since I arrived," he told Chelsea's official website.
"Whatever position I play I always try to give my best, to do what the manager asked of me with my characteristics.
"Since we changed the system it has worked well for us in the league and I try to adapt to it in the best way possible.
"We train hard in the week to do that and we are realising in the game what we do in training," he added.
Chelsea host Everton at Stamford Bridge this weekend and will have to contain the likes of Romelu Lukaku if they are to extend their impressive run of four clean sheets.
"The last results were good - four wins and we didn't concede a goal - so that shows a lot of teamwork and we want to keep going in that way.
"I'm happy when the team wins and that is what I fight for," Azpilicueta added.
Antonio Conte: Chelsea career in pictures
Antonio Conte: Chelsea career in pictures
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1/12 A new home
Antonio Conte arrives at the Blues on a three-year deal after Euro 2016.
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2/12 Summer love
Pre-season: Conte's Blues impressed with five wins from six games against the likes of Liverpool and AC Milan, and a defeat against Real Madrid the only blot on the copybook.
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3/12 Fan favourite
August 15: Conte's Premier League career got off to a dramatic start with a late 2-1 win against West Ham at the Bridge, with the coach's touchline antics inspiring the crowd.
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4/12 Escape artist
August 20: Chelsea managed to secure another late win in Conte's second league game in charge at Watford.
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5/12 Nervy back line
August 23: An EFL Cup win against Bristol Rovers followed, though Conte's defence looked weak against lesser opponents.
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6/12 Three out of three
August 27: The good times kept rolling with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Burnley ensuring a perfect start before the international break.
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7/12 Savage Swans
September 11: Tempers flared as Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw at Swansea after the international break, with Diego Costa both a target and a menace as Conte dropped his first points.
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8/12 Home discomforts
September 16: Liverpool gained revenge for their pre-season defeat by inflicting Conte's first home loss as Chelsea boss with a 2-1 Premier League win at the Bridge.
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9/12 Super sub
September 20: Leicester raced into a two-goal EFL Cup lead, but Chelsea forced extra-time before Cesc Fabregas scored two goals off the bench for a 4-2 win - an inspired sub by Conte.
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10/12 Outgunned
September 24: Conte was left embarrassed as Arsene Wenger's Arsenal ripped apart the Blues with three goals in the first half to beat Chelsea 3-0.
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11/12 The 3-4-3 is back in style
October 1: Burned by two defeats against title rivals, Conte reverted to a 3-4-3 formation and secured a fine 2-0 win away at Hull.
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12/12 Jose Mourinho's return
October 23: Conte gets the better of Chelsea's former manager in style - an emphatic 4-0 victory over Manchester United.
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