How Conte is sweet-talking his way to success

London: Antonio Conte’s Chelsea revolution is being aided by soothing honey sweets that he is having specially imported from Italy.

The head coach shouts so much that he can barely speak after training sessions and matches. The noisy approach has paid dividends: Chelsea have won four successive Premier League games and are a point behind leaders Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

But Conte is having to ship in bags of Ambrosoli al Miele sweets from Italy to soothe his vocal chords.

The 47-year-old is said to munch through several packets a week at training. He was dismayed that his favourite brand is not widely sold in the UK and arranged a method of getting them to London.

With no European fixtures to worry about, Conte gave his voice and his players a two-day break after the victory over Southampton.

Chelsea have kept four successive Premier League clean sheets since Conte switched to a three-man defence and Gary Cahill believes he and his teammates are proving a point to their critics.

“Don’t write me off,” said Cahill, who has been captain while John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic have been left out. “It was a matter of time before I turned the corner.“

Ivanovic is understood to be concerned that his time at the club may be coming to an end with his contract up at the end of the season.

Inter Milan and Chinese club Jiangsu Suning are among the clubs already interested in Ivanovic. But the player may prefer to stay in London, which could alert Crystal Palace.