Photo: REUTERS

Chelsea currently top the league table, and with just 13 games left, and 8 points clear at the top of the table, former England manager Fabio Capello, has admitted that the Chelsea manager has done a good job in just his first season as Chelsea manager.

The former England manager revealed that he isn’t surprised at Conte’s success, while hailing the Italian for getting rid of old players, changing the team’s style and mentality and for managing the Costa situation properly.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s Laureus Sports Awards in Monaco, he said: “It’s not a surprise. I know him well and he did good things with teams in Italy like Siena and Juventus.

“He is a really smart manager and understands how to work with players.

“He didn’t have a great start after losing some games but he knew something wasn’t right in the dressing room.

“He got rid of some of the old players which was important and put in new young players.

“He changed the style of the team and the mentality of the team.

“He’s also got Diego Costa back in side after he wanted to leave the club.”