The Blues boss continues to see his future called into question after failing to piece together a Premier League title defence at Stamford Bridge.
A second stint with the Italy national team is being mooted, with the 48-year-old on the Azzurri’s shortlist as they prepare to make a permanent appointment for a vacant post.
Zola, though, believes that Conte should be given the chance to at least see out a contract in England that is due to run until 2019, with there few better options available.
A Chelsea legend told talkSPORT when asked if he thinks his countryman will leave this summer: “I really hope not, because I think he is an asset for the club.
“He’s a good coach, without doubt — he’s actually one of the best around.
“At the moment there are certainly some problems.
“If the club and manager want to continue, and I think that will be good for the club, they should sort [the problems] out because the competition out there is so incredible.
“There is no league in the world where you see teams get so much better every year — it’s so competitive off the pitch and on the pitch.”
Conte remains in a position to oversee a productive end to the 2017-18 campaign for Chelsea.
The Blues have made their way to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, where they will meet Southampton, while a top-four finish is still within reach.
A five-point gap separates them from the Champions League spots at present, but they do have some crucial clashes to come — starting with a London derby against fourth-placed Tottenham on Sunday.
