Vialli Shocked By Conte Reports  (Sky Sports)

Gianluca Vialli says he is shocked by reports that some Chelsea players are unhappy with Antonio Conte's training methods.

Conte, who won the Premier League in his first season in England, has had to defend his record recently with Chelsea nine points off the pace after nine games in this season's title race.

But speaking at The Best FIFA Football Awards in London where Conte is a nominee for The Best FIFA Men's Coach, Vialli took issue with reports of unease among Chelsea players.

Vialli, who played 58 times for Chelsea and managed the team between 1998 and 2000, told Sky Sports News: "Yes, I'm shocked because you have a side that came seventh two years ago and then you've got an Italian manager arriving and turning the squad around and winning the title.

"If I was a player I'd look at this manager thinking he's my guru, my Messiah, I want to be with him all the time and no matter what he says or what he makes me do in training, I need to stick to his methods because he's a winner and he's a successful manager.

"So I don't believe it is true, if it was true I would be shocked because it would be out of order in my opinion."

Conte, who said this week that he is "different" to his predecessors at Stamford Bridge, has another important week ahead with Chelsea hosting Everton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday followed by the trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday.