Antonio Conte receives backing from Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola

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Former Chelsea forward Gianfranco Zola has shown his support towards Blues boss Antonio Conte, insisting the Italian is a “good fit” for the club.

Conte has come under heavy criticism in recent months with the west London club sitting precariously outside the top four, five points behind Spurs – who occupy the fourth and final spot.

Despite this, Conte’s Italian compatriot, and former international teammate, Gianfranco Zola – who won the FA Cup twice with Chelsea as a player – has backed the current boss to turn his old club’s fortunes round. NaijaBet.com

Speaking before Chelsea’s trip to Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-final, Zola told the BBC, “It is easy to say Antonio Conte he not happy. NaijaBet.com

“He is a winner, and has always been like that since he was a player. He wants things to his way and right now they are not, so he cannot hide his disappointment.

“I genuinely think he is a good fit for Chelsea, one of the best coaches around, and as I want the best for Chelsea so hope his stays,” added the ex-Blues attacker. NaijaBet.com

“There are a few issues, but hopefully they solve them.”

Conte is currently enduring a difficult second season with the Blues. Having won the Premier League trophy in his first season with the club, this term his side have put up a frail effort to retain the title and sit 25 points behind league leaders Manchester City.

What’s behind Conte’s difficult second season?

In his first season with Chelsea, Conte had the luxury of no European football, meaning the 48-year-old could solely concentrate on the Premier League and domestic cup competitions. This saw the club win the title by seven points.

This season, Chelsea have demonstrated much less attacking panache, having scored the fewest of the top six. The Blues have only 52 goals to show for the season so far – three fewer than Arsenal, six below Manchester United’s total, and seven fewer than Spurs – while their goal difference is half as good as it was last season. NaijaBet.com

Without last-season’s top-scorer, Diego Costa, Chelsea have lacked a reliable figure up front. Alvaro Morata has only hit the back of the net 10 times this season in the league, and only once in the calendar year, while Olivier Giroud is yet to open his Premier League account for the club.

Having already been eliminated from the Champions League and the League Cup, Conte will turn to the FA Cup as his only hope for silverware this season. They face Southampton at Wembley in the next round. NaijaBet.com