Zola: “Once Vinicius gets going there’s no stopping him”

Gianfranco Zola is remembered for being one of the most creative footballers of the nineties. Since hanging up his boots, the 56-year-old has reinvented himself and now works as a commentator for CBS television - a role he combines with his position as vice-president of Lega Pro, the third category of transalpine football. Plenty to keep him busy but it doesn’t prevent him from keeping an eye on his old club Chelsea, where he is considered a living legend. During his time at Stamford Bridge, he won six titles and closed the circle on the bench, as Sarri’s assistant with the Blues in 2018-19... AS caught up with him via video-link to look ahead to the Champions League quarter final between Chelsea and Real Madrid.

You’ve known Ancelotti since he started out on the bench...

That’s right, with Parma - his second team.

One of his most striking decisions was when he moved you over to the right wing. What happened?

Carlo was still only just starting out in coaching and was more reserved in his tactical approach. He was a fan of Sacchi. I think maybe he saw me as a second striker, but he already had two other incredible players for that position - Hernán Crespo and Chiesa. He had to find a solution so that all three of us could play together, and for there to be a certain tactical balance, he put me on the right wing. It was not among my aspirations to play there, so we came to the conclusion that it would be better for me to go somewhere else. Too bad, because as Carlo said later, over time, he changed as a coach and gave more importance to a player’s qualities and level than to the system...

And that’s why you went to Chelsea, a club close to your heart...

I joined in 1996 in quite a strange way. I wasn’t doing well at Parma, nor with the national team... I was thirty years old and I wasn’t in my best condition in terms of fitness. At that time, it wasn’t usual for players to leave Italy. But I decided to give it a go at Chelsea and it was love at first sight. They gave me encouragement and confidence and that inspired me, it was like my second youth. I spent seven years there. As they would say there, I felt blessed.

There, you coincided with Vialli and also with Di Matteo - a Chelsea with a strong Italian influence

We won the FA Cup when I was in one of my best moments. I didn’t think that winning a cup had such great significance and generated so much enthusiasm. I had come from Italy, where, as I suppose like in Spain, [winning the Cup] is not the same thing. That was unforgettable. I have the utmost respect for Gianluca - for how he led his life, too, until the final moments. He was a great footballer, a great coach and above all an excellent person. It is still very painful, he left us way too soon.

A lot has happened since those successes with the current uncertainty surrounding the club. What’s gone wrong with this Chelsea side - with so many expensive signings?

You can put together a lot of quality players but that does not guarantee that you are building a good team. Chelsea is a good example of that. The difference between a good team and a great team are sometimes small details, complicity... it’s not just about signing great individuals. There has been a change of owner, of coach... Things are not going as they should.

Did you understand why Graham Potter was sacked?

This is a business. I hate to see a coach get the sack, I have experienced it myself so I know what it feels like. But if we look at the demands of the club and also the demands of the fans, and in return, there are no results, then unfortunately, that’s the decision that is reached.

Which player should take the helm and lead the team out of this slump?

In theory, it should be Jorginho. Thiago Silva is perhaps the most charismatic one, but he’s out injured. There are others who can take on that leadership role. Take Kovacic for example. He is the players who has evolved the most over the last few years there. We will see how Enzo Fernández develops, although he is still very young. Kanté's return after so many months sidelined will come in handy for Chelsea. He is a silent leader.

Let’s go back almost a year. Have you recovered from the amazing Real Madrid-Chelsea tie in last season’s Champions League?

I was there (in London). Chelsea played well, they used the high press that had worked for them before, but Madrid played an exceptional game. Madrid’s enormous quality made the difference, Chelsea couldn’t do anything about it.

What do you expect from this quarter final?

That’s a good question... because it’s hard to answer. To be honest, if I have to make a prediction, I wouldn’t know what to say. No one doubts Real Madrid’s quality - neither before nor now, but Chelsea generates a lot of uncertainty for me. It’s a huge question mark. Their squad is so classy that they can play a huge game when no one expects it and put Madrid in trouble... I don’t think that the fact that Madrid is the current champion and that maybe they have a better squad is enough to say that they have a very clear advantage and that they will go through to the next round.

What do you think of Madrid’s season?

I have not seen so much of them in LaLiga, where I suppose they would have expected to be in a better position. In the Champions League, I thought they were going to have more problems against Liverpool and yet their performance was extraordinary. Madrid might look as though they are wounded, but you can never take them for dead.

Carletto recently said that Vinicius is the player who makes the most difference right now. Would you agree?

I’m with Carlo on that, yes. Vinicius is one of the trickiest players to face on the planet. He loses his marker, he can improvise... Whether it’s with the ball at his feet or his movement and how creates space - once he gets going, you can’t stop him. His finishing is also improving, he is becoming a very complete striker. And you have to be a very good player to keep someone like Hazard on the bench.

Ancelotti has been linked with the Brazil job...

He’s a great coach, he is flexible, as a coach and as a person. And with so much experience. Who wouldn’t want to have him? He will do well wherever he wants to be.

You retired at 37, the same age as Modric, who is showing no signs of slowing down. How do you explain that?

It’s like Barolo (a renowned, vintage Italian wine with Designation of Origin), the older he gets, the better he gets. He sets the pace of the game and that is something which is always useful. His energy at 37 years old is enviable. He lives for football and has an extraordinary football brain.

And Benzema?

He always did well, but he never got the credit he deserved. Neither with France nor perhaps with Madrid because Cristiano was there. His last year was extraordinary and above all I saw him grow in personality, in charisma.

Put yourself in Florentino Pérez’s shoes for a moment. Who would you go for: Mbappé or Haaland?

I think that Mbappé might be better for how he could adapt to the Spanish game. In LaLiga, you need a forward who plays more than one who just focuses on scoring. You need a player who is involved in moves, not just finishing them off. I think Kylian would adapt more to Madrid in that aspect and to the Spanish league. But they are two very important players. I tell you what, let’s do this: one of the goes to Madrid and the other to Chelsea! (laughs).

Who is the big favorite to win the Champions League this year?

For me, Manchester City, but I hope Guardiola doesn’t read this because every year I say the same thing... and it’s going to look like I’ve jinxed them again (laughs). Bayern Munich also has a serious chance.

Thierry Henry recently said that “Calcio is back” (“Italian football is back”). With Napoli, Inter and Milan in the quarter finals... do you agree?

It’s been 17 years without so many Italian teams in the quarter finals. It’s nice, but I don’t think it’s the solution to the problems of our football. It is still not as attractive to players as England, Germany or Spain. There is still a lot to improve. But it’s encouranging. Napoli, despite that 0-4 against Milan the other day, has a great opportunity this year.

A few days ago, you were in Naples to comment on a game at the Maradona Stadium. You were almost Maradona’s heir at Napoli...

He was a good person. Very sensitive, humble and faithful to his team mates. A lot of what I’ve accomplished in my career was because of how he inspired me. Once he gave me the No.10 shirt, in a match against Pisa. Actually, he said he left it to me because he wanted to wear Careca’s No.9 (laughs). It was a noble gesture; I was a boy, still finding my way and looking for stability and that gave me courage and self-esteem. You loved him not only because he made you win games, but also because of the person he was.

Is there a Zola in today’s game?

The thing is, football has evolved, the No.10 today or who plays wide or as a false nine. I like Grealish, Ødegaard, who has grown extraordinarily, Foden, I love De Bruyne... All of them could be a Zola, even though the game is different now.

And tell us what’s next. In addition to Calcio, ‘Zola is back’, is the new vice-president of Lega Pro...

President Marani, a friend, wanted to give me this opportunity. I grew up and made myself known in Serie C without going through an important youth academy, I came from the street. That formed me and I believe that many young people can repeat my journey.