Tuesday 5 April 2016 14:16, UK
Chelsea legend Ron Harris believes incoming boss Antonio Conte has the determination, drive and competitiveness to turn the club into winners again.
This time last year, the Blues were seven points clear at the top of the table on their way to securing the Premier League title.
But after a dreadful start to the defence of their crown, manager Jose Mourinho was sacked and Guus Hiddink brought in to steady the ship until the end of the season.
The Dutchman has carried out his brief and on Monday it was confirmed the interim boss would be replaced by Italy coach Conte after the European Championships this summer.
The former Juventus captain and manager has been linked with the position for a number of months, and the confirmation of his appointment has filled former Chelsea defender Harris with hope for the future.
"He has got Italy into the European Championship finals and his spell at Juventus was very good, so hopefully he can do the same thing at Chelsea," he said.
"I always say to people I was very competitive - maybe that's what Chelsea need. If you look at his track record, he has done very well. He wants to be a winner.
"People only want to know winners. If I asked you to name who won the Premier League last year you would know that - but not who ended seventh or eighth.
"You wouldn't know the quarter-finalists in last year's FA Cup either - people want to know winners and he reminds me of that type of fella."
Conte arrives in England with a reputation for being a stern taskmaster and fierce competitor, while the Italian has shown he is not afraid to make tough decisions.
And one of his toughest could be to sort out the future of captain John Terry.
The 35-year-old announced in January he would end his long association with the club at the end of the campaign - but Chelsea have insisted there is still a possibility of a contract extension.
Harris, who is Chelsea's record appearance holder with 795 games, believes the collective strength of the group of players is more important than any individual.
"I am still confident if John stayed there next season, he is still 70 or 80 games short," said Harris, who won the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup during his 19-year stay at Stamford Bridge.
"But I don't want to get involved in whether they should keep him if it's the club's policy that if people reach a certain age... like has happened to other players.
"There will always be a Chelsea with or without Ron Harris, Frank Lampard and John Terry. Maybe things might change now that a new manager has come on the scene.
"We'll have to wait until nearer the time to see whether John will be at Chelsea next season, or looking for another club."
