Zola surprised at Conte impact

After an unconvincing start in west London, Antonio Conte is now thriving as Chelsea manager with his side top of the Premier League table and on a seven-game winning streak in the league.

Zola admitted that he was surprised by how quickly Conte has started to flourish as Chelsea boss.

"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 told 'Sky Sports News'. "He deserves it.

"(Not playing in Europe) is an advantage, certainly, because there are teams who have more games, but that's not a guarantee.

"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".

Chelsea are one point ahead of Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, with 31 points from 13 games, but could be knocked off the top spot with a defeat to City at the weekend.