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Chelsea are currently on a seven-match winning streak following Conte’s decision to switch to three at the back, and Blues legend, Gianfranco Zola has admitted that he’s surprised at how quickly Conte has gotten his charges to be performing week in, week out.

“I know how Antonio works, how good he is. To see the work flourishing so quickly is a surprise but it’s all down to the work he does and his ability as a coach. He deserves it,” he told Sky Sports.

“(Not playing in Europe) is an advantage, certainly, because there are teams who have more games, but that’s not a guarantee.” He said.

Zola, another Italian who’s loved at Stamford Bridge then urged the team to be consistent if they want to win the league.

“You need to work hard to win the league because there five or six teams who have the credentials to do that.

“They have to keep performing the way they are doing and if they do that they stand a good chance.” Said the Blues legend.