Photo: official Chelsea website

Chelsea travel to St Mary’s on Sunday to face Southampton in a ground where they have been difficult to beat in recent times. In fact, only Chelsea have beaten the Saints in their ground this year, and they have the second best defence in the league this season.

Antonio Conte is very much aware of their defence, and has hailed the Southampton coach Claude Puel for what he has done with the Saints.

Conte said: “Southampton are a very good team, very strong,”

“I watched many of their games and I like Puel. His team play offensive football and in every game they play good football. In the last game they played well against Manchester City and had many chances.

“They are more compact in defensive situations and I’m sure on Sunday it will be very tough, but it will be a good test for us to continue after three good games. This test is different because it’s away from home against a team in good shape. For our ambition it’s a big test.” Said Conte.