Conte won the Premier League in his first season in England, but his Chelsea side are currently nine points off the pace in this season's title battle.

The Italian was nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Coach at The Best FIFA Football Awards tonight, but lost out to Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

And Vialli, who managed Chelsea between 1998 and 2000, finds it hard to believe that the Blues players are not behind their manager.

"Yes, I'm shocked [by the rumours] because you have a side that came seventh two years ago," he told Sky Sports News.

"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 has another important week ahead with Chelsea hosting managerless Everton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday (7.45pm).

His side follow the midweek action by the trip to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday (5:30pm).