Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola has insisted that Antonio Conte is more than capable of coping with the current speculation over his future.
The Premier League champions will go into this evening's clash with West Bromwich Albion sitting outside the Champions League places following back-to-back defeats at the hands of Bournemouth and Watford.
Speculation over Conte's future has grown as a result, and defeat to the Baggies could result in him being sacked just nine months after winning the title, but Zola believes that his compatriot deserves more time to prove himself.
"People who ask if he is affected by all of this, they don't know Antonio very well. I have known Antonio for years and in his career he has had tough moments, injuries, breakdowns and he has always came back fighting. Antonio doesn't worry me," Zola told the Evening Standard.
"It is difficult for every manager, we live for results. When things don't go well we suffer. But Antonio is a manager who has been through periods like this and come out of it very well. I'm sure he can cope.
"Antonio has shown during his spell in England that he deserves people to be patient with him. He deserves it for what he has done for this team."
Victory for Chelsea tonight will see them climb back into the top four, but anything less will leave them languishing in fifth place.
Barney Corkhill
