Gary Cahill: Chelsea can be title contenders, but are still adapting to Antonio Conte's 3-4-3 formation

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Simon Johnson28 October 2016

Gary Cahill is convinced Chelsea will be Premier League title contenders this season despite admitting that the players need more time to get used to the new 3-4-3 system.

Chelsea have won three league games in a row without conceding a goal since coach Antonio Conte changed formation to play with three at the back.

Conte's side impressed in the 4-0 win over Manchester United last Sunday, only for the 2-1 defeat to West Ham in the EFL Cup Fourth Round in midweek to expose some of the frailities in the squad.

Cahill feels the United display has raised expectations, but insists the best of Chelsea is still to come.

In Pictures | Chelsea vs Manchester United | 23/10/2016

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He said: "We can't get carried away after what happened against Manchester United. We are still getting accustomed to this new formation.

"At the moment it is proving difficult to play against. We have managed to play out from the back well and if we press high, we can cause trouble with the wing backs.

"We are learning as we're going along but we are adapting the more we use the system.

"It meant a lot to beat Manchester United after losing to Arsenal and Liverpool last month.

"There was a bit of doom and gloom a few weeks ago, but you look at the position we are in now, it's changed again.

"It's important that we perform well in big games. Obviously you want to win but the performance against Manchester United was terrific.

"We are pleased with the last three League games, but we are working on improving the way we play all of the time."

Chelsea trailed leaders Manchester City, who are only ahead of Arsenal and Liverpool on goal difference, by eight points last month.

But the Blues have closed to within a point of first spot and hope to maintain their winning streak at Southampton on Sunday.

Few observers are giving them a chance to lift the trophy come May, but Cahill says their challenge has to be taken seriously.

He added: "Of course we can be one of the teams fighting for the title. But we are not thinking about winning it right now.

"All I am thinking about at the moment is being in contention because that is the main focus right now - to stay up there.

"But you can see already this season that one team isn't just going to run away with it. It's going to be tight, there are going to be lots of changes at the top.

West Ham and Chelsea fans clash - in pictures

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"It's important at the this stage of the season, in the run-up to Christmas, that you pick up points to stay in the hunt.

"If we are in a good position then, it will set us up well for the second half of the season."

Conte is close to having his full squad available with Branislav Ivanovic (calf) and Cesc Fabregas (leg muscle) back in training.

Captain John Terry is expected to be dropped back to the bench after struggling in the defeat to West Ham.

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