Mourinho isn't useless but Conte's timing was perfect, claims Grant

The previous Chelsea manager trusts the Italian acquired the reins at a perfect minute, with change looked for by a side now besting the Premier League table



Avram Grant trusts Antonio Conte touched base at Chelsea at the ideal time, while demanding Jose Mourinho is neither a virtuoso nor pointless.

Conte assumed control at Stamford Bridge in front of this season and has helped the club to an eight-point lead on the Premier League table.

'Conte indicating how outstanding he is'

The Italian is in charge after a poor 2015-16 crusade for Chelsea, who went separate ways with Mourinho amid that season.

Concede, in control at the club in 2007-08, said the planning was perfect for previous Juventus mentor Conte.

"Conte came at the ideal time. The players were prepared for the change and needed the change," the Ghana supervisor said by means of The Guardian.

Lampard: Conte changed everything

"With a great deal of regard to Jose, I didn't care for that the media said he was the ruler of the world and a virtuoso — he was not — and he's not all that futile like they are saying in regards to him now.

"He's a decent mentor, with issues like some other individual."

Conte landed at Chelsea having driven Juve to three back to back Serie A titles from 2011-14.

Give felt the 47-year-old committed an early error in England, however amended rapidly enough after a poor begin.

"I think he began to satisfy the supporters. He played 4-4-2 and he'd never played like this in his life — I've taken after his entire vocation," he said.

Ivanovic could begin in spite of hypothesis

"He played three at the back with Juventus and had great outcomes in Italy. He came to Chelsea and changed. Try not to change your identity.

"There are mentors who can play diverse frameworks, as Alex Ferguson. Conte, [Arsene] Wenger, their style of play won't change and it's bad for them to change in light of the fact that possibly they don't have the foggiest idea about another framework.

"I think the best thing to happen to Chelsea was that they lost 3-0 to Arsenal — then he returned to his underlying foundations and they play a framework that is additionally useful for their players."