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Chelsea: Antonio Conte isn’t underestimating Everton danger

By Ajitesh Rasgotra

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Wayne Rooney of Everton celebrates as he scores their third goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Everton and Swansea City at Goodison Park on December 18, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Wayne Rooney of Everton celebrates as he scores their third goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Everton and Swansea City at Goodison Park on December 18, 2017 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Everton have been revived by Sam Allardyce and Antonio Conte knows that taking all three points away from Goodison Park will be a tough ask for Chelsea.

Chelsea carry on their feast of festive football when they travel to Goodison Park on Saturday. The Blues will take on Everton in the lunchtime kick-off in a game that Antonio Conte knows will be tough. Sam Allardyce has transformed the Toffees since taking the reins and his side now look like the team they initially promised to be.

Speaking ahead of the game, Conte ensured that Chelsea will not be underestimating a team that struggled out of the blocks.

"We know in the last five games Everton won four, so they are in good form. They have a really good squad and they have changed coach and are having good results. For this reason we must pay good attention on Saturday. It is not simple to play away against Everton. – via chelseafc.com"

Chelsea will need to truly be at the top of their game on Saturday. Big Sam has Everton firing on all cylinders. Moreover, as their Liverpool draw showed, luck is returning to the blue half of Merseyside.

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While neutrals (like myself) are still crying over the fact that Allardyce won’t be leading England to the World Cup, Everton fans are rejoicing. The veteran tactician has shored up the Toffees defence while injecting their attacking talent with some passion.

Despite Chelsea’s recent results, Everton will feel that they can spring an upset. Heading into the season, they were being touted as a top 6 threat. A failure to recruit goalscoring talent was a worry but, in the end, the team’s performances fell off a cliff edge as a whole.

Under Allardyce, the side has been rebuilt and they are looking close to their potential. Gylfi Sigurdsson is now playing like his old Swansea self while Wayne Rooney is scoring goals from midfield.

Chelsea cannot afford to underestimate Everton or they will find egg of their faces. While a top 4 finish should be easy, dropping points in games such as this will pile the pressure on. Fortunately, Conte is saying the right things and hopefully his players are sharing his attitude.

Next: Chelsea must sign van Dijk if Luiz leaves

How do you rate Everton’s threat? Let us know in the comments below!

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