Chelsea legend Frank Lampard believes new manager Antonio Conte can improve chelsea,conte a great manager he says

Apr 4, 2016 

The former England international believes the Italian has already shown what he is capable of by transforming Juventus from also-rans into the best team in SerieA

Chelsea legend Frank Lampard believes new manager Antonio Conte has "a big job" on his hands at Stamford Bridge, but that the Italian has the pedigree and experience to get them fighting for the title again.

The west London outfit won the Premier League last season but fired Jose Mourinho in December after a dismal start to their title defence.

After bringing in former boss Guus Hiddink on an interim basis, Chelsea have now turned to Conte, who will stand down as Italy coach after Euro 2016.



The former Azzurri international has never previously played or worked in England but Lampard is in no doubt that the 46-year-old is the right man for the job, having seen the way in which Conte took over a Juventus side coming off the back of consecutive seventh-placed finishes in Serie A and led them to three successive Scudetti.

"I think he’s a great manager," the New York City FC midfielder told Goal. "I think it’s a big job now, Chelsea.

"I think it’s a transitional period with the difficult year they’ve had, but I think Conte has a fantastic pedigree... what he’s done at Juventus, the work he’s doing now with the Italian (national) team."



Lampard also revealed that Conte received a glowing recommendation from New York City team-mate Andrea Pirlo, whose arrival at Juventus in the summer of 2011 coincided with Conte's appointment as coach.

"I’ve spoken with Andrea, who knows him very well, and he speaks very highly of him," the former England international added.

"So, I think he’ll bring a discipline and a work ethic and hopefully improve Chelsea. I’m not sure it will be easy, but I think he has the credibility."