Antonio Conte is doing even better at Chelsea than I expected, says new Birmingham City boss Gianfranco Zola

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James Benge16 December 2016

Antonio Conte has performed even more impressively than his compatriots expected him to do at Chelsea, according to Blues and Italy legend Gianfranco Zola.

Chelsea are in the midst of a 10-match winning run in the Premier League that has helped them set a commanding six point lead at the top of the table, enough to guarantee that they will be top of the table at Christmas.

Just a year ago the Blues were struggling to drag themselves clear of a relegation battle but, just as he did at Siena, Juventus and the Italian national team, Conte has prompted a remarkable revival and brought the best out of star men Diego Costa and Eden Hazard.

After seeing Conte lead Juventus to three straight league titles and eke the most out of a limited Italy squad at Euro 2016 it is no surprise to Italians that Conte is excelling at Chelsea though Zola, back in England as the new manager of Birmingham City, is amazed by just how quickly he has settled in the Premier League.

“He’s doing an amazing job,” Zola told reporters. “He’s a great coach. We know that in Italy.

“We saw it with Juventus, with the national teams – with the resources with the national team he’s done remarkably well. We know how good he was.

“We are surprised to see him doing so well, so quickly. Which makes him even better than we thought. He’s deserved this because he works so hard.”

PA

Zola, an icon at Stamford Bridge after eight brilliant seasons between 1996 and 2003, finds himself with plenty to prove in his first managerial job since leaving Watford three years ago today.

Birmingham City controversially sacked highly-rated young manager Gary Rowett though they sit eighth in the Championship table but Zola, who admitted his predecessor “probably didn’t deserve” to be dismissed, intends to bring some of Conte’s intensity to St Andrew’s.

“Italy has always been known for good coaches,” Zola added. “It’s a very analytical school.

“The way the coaches prepare for games is very intense, very detailed and that can make a big difference.”

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