Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has produced a glowing report on Conte's 'revolutionising' of the Premier League

Eddie Howe's Bournemouth take on Conte's Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday night. Credit: PA

Bournemouth's Eddie Howe has praised Antonio Conte for "revolutionising the Premier League" as his team prepares for Wednesday's visit to Chelsea.

The Italian's future at Stamford Bridge remains the subject of intense speculation, owing to his criticism of their transfer policy and their struggles to defend the Premier League title.

Howe admired Conte's switch to what was then an unusual 3-4-3 formation, which inspired Chelsea to a title triumph, and like many rival managers has experimented with organising his team in a similar shape.

Should Conte leave Chelsea at the end of the season he will have worked in English football for only two years, but discussing his influence, Howe said: "In many ways he's revolutionised the Premier League.

"I've got a lot of time for him. If you look at a lot of teams now, they're playing five at the back, three at the back, that's down to Antonio, and the revolution he's brought to the Premier League.

"Tactically he's made the league more interesting, and it's been fascinating to see his work delivered on the pitch.

"Chelsea have the individuals who can swing a game in a second, you've got to try and keep those individuals quiet."

Bournemouth travel to Stamford Bridge just hours before the conclusion of the January transfer window, but Howe does not expect to make any new signings, and partly because he witnessed the negative impact deadline day can have this time last year.

Bournemouth will be looking for an important three points as they look to get out of a relegation scrap. Credit: PA

They lost 2-0 at home to Crystal Palace, then struggling under Sam Allardyce, amid the distractions created by Glenn Murray's transfer to Brighton and Marc Wilson and Lewis Grabban leaving on loan.

"Last year was an uncomfortable experience because it knocked our preparations for the Crystal Palace game," Howe said. "I hope we don't see the same again and I hope everyone can be focused on the football match we have, because it's a huge game for us and one that we need to make sure we perform well in.

"It was a difficult day. I'm sure every club in the Premier League will be having very similar situations, where players maybe aren't as focused on the game as they should be, and there's external distractions, whether that be from agents or football clubs. We found that day very difficult, and I hope we don't find this the same.

"There was nothing that we could control. It was nothing we did, it's just making sure the focus of every single player within your squad is on the game and not the window. These games are hard enough without having distractions from the outside.

"Everything seems quite quiet, so we're in a unique position where we can concentrate on the game."