Gianluca Vialli: These five men are behind Antonio Conte’s Chelsea success story

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Gianluca Vialli says Chelsea have benefitted from Italian influences over the years

Antonio Conte arrived at Chelsea last summer after coaching Italy at Euro 2016.

He has spearheaded a major turnaround in fortunes at Chelsea, who now sit nine points clear at the top of the Premier League.

The Blues have a rich recent history of Italians achieving success in west London.

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There's a history there of Italian managers and philosophy

Gianluca Vialli

In the late 1990s Vialli, Roberto Di Matteo and Gianfranco Zola all arrived at the club and helped Chelsea win the FA Cup and European trophies.

Vialli became Chelsea's first Italian manager in 1998 and was followed by Claudio Ranieri, Carlo Ancelotti and Di Matteo.

And Vialli believes Conte is enjoying being part of the Italian succession.

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Italian Antonio Conte has taken Chelsea to the top of the table

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Roberto Di Matteo and Gianfranco Zola both arrived at Chelsea in 1998

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Carlo Ancelotti brought further success to Chelsea during his stint as manager

"Coming to Stamford Bridge was slightly easier because there's a history there of Italian managers and philosophy," Vialli told talkSPORT.

"Then he was incredibly good when he made that tactical switch from a back four to back three.

"It brought a new seriousness to the team.

"Every great manager always finds a moment in the season to make the tactical change."

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