With Roberto di Matteo joining the ranks of the Chelsea revolution by agreeing to come on as Andre Villas-Boas' right-hand man, one would be forgiven for assuming that that was enough Italian Chelsea legends in the coaching and backroom staff for now. However, there's a decent chance that that assumption is totally off the mark, because Sky Italy are reporting that the vacant sporting director role isn't being taken up by Michael Emenalo or even Guus Hiddick. Instead, if you'll believe it, Gianfranco Zola will be coming back to the Bridge.
Sky Italy report Gianfranco Zola is to be named Chelsea's sporting director. Hmm, not so sure. That job's surely got Emenalo's name on it.less than a minute ago via web 
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Dan Levene
BluesChronicle
I'm going to assume it's true, because Zola being back at Chelsea feels me with a fierce glee while Emenalo remaining at Chelsea fills me with absolutely no emotion whatsoever, but neither are, on their own, wonderful candidates for the job on paper. The director of football must be involved in player acquisition and development from the youth level all the way up to the first team, and there's not a lot of evidence that either Zola or Emenalo are capable of doing that.
With an inexperienced manager I think everyone would like to see a steadying influence around to guide him, and the names associated with the position right now don't seem to make much sense. Given the choice between Emenalo and Zola, though, it's got to be Zola every single time, right? Even if I don't know what to make of the appointment itself, seeing the little magician back and working for Chelsea would send shivers down my spine.