Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has urged his former club not to lose manager Antonio Conte amid rumours that the Italian could leave Stamford Bridge.
The Italian was heavily criticised for the way he axed striker Diego Costa from his squad.
But the Englishman says Conte staying would be the club's "most important signing".
"Antonio would be their most important signing – for me he was their man of the season," Lampard is quoted as saying by The Sun.
"He took the club from 11th to comfortable champions and that can't be underestimated.
"I think he's a huge signing for them. You talk about player of the year, I'm all for giving the players credit but because it was such a dramatic uplift from the year before I think you have to give him huge credit.
"You saw the system change and how he made them play in that formation, it worked well.
"I think he's a huge signing for them. I have no doubts, I don't know, but I'm pretty confident he'll be there and they'll bring in players to play in the system he wants to play."
