Chelsea fan favourite Gianfranco Zola has backed the appointment of former Juventus manager Antonio Conte.

The Chelsea legend claimed that Conte is the right choice for Chelsea and will help move the club forward with his ideas, philosophy and personality.

Zola said: “Antonio is the right choice for a strong club with prestige like Chelsea. He must bring his football ideas to a league, a culture and a different nation, and will have no problems.”

“They will have dissected what he did in Turin and Italy. He has a significant pedigree, even with the national team one sees his hand and his team’s idea.”

The former Chelsea player also urged the Italian manager to learn the language as soon as possible and claimed that Conte should form a good relationship with the English media.

He added: “The English newspapers like to press and demand. He must build a relationship of mutual respect. Then, also learn the language, sooner the better: the translators are not enough.”

The Italian national team manager will take charge of the Blues once he has fulfilled his Euro 2016 commitments with his country.

Chelsea got rid of Jose Mourinho towards the end of 2015 and appointed Guus Hiddink as the interim manager for the remainder of the season. However, the Dutchman was never a long-term appointment and will be replaced by Conte.

The Italian is the long-term successor of Jose Mourinho and will look to take the London club back to the top of English football after a disastrous season. The Premier League champions are currently 9th in the table and will not be playing in the Champions League next season.